Question

Which of the following statements about algae is FALSE? ______

A) they are photosynthetic organisms.
B) they provide most of the oxygen on Earth.
C) they are a source of food for aquatic and marine animals.
D) they are important in the degradation of dead plants and animals.
E) the group includes seaweeds and kelps.

Answer 1

The false statement about algae is that they are important in the degradation of dead plants and animals, as their primary ecological role is in photosynthesis and primary production, not decomposition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The false statement about algae is D) they are important in the degradation of dead plants and animals.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that play vital roles in aquatic ecosystems. They are mostly known for producing oxygen through photosynthesis and for being a foundational part of the aquatic food chain, serving as a source of food for various marine animals. The group does include seaweeds and kelps, which are types of macroscopic algae.

However, unlike fungi, which play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter, algae are not primarily involved in the degradation of dead plants and animals, as their main ecological role is primary production through photosynthesis.