Chlorophyta (Green Algae)

Consisting of nearly 7,000 species, the green algae group is eukaryotic and contains organelles similar to those of vascular land plants. Chlorophyta use starch as their main storage product, which is unusual for algae and makes their chloroplasts look lumpy or bubbly. The photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a and b are what gives the green algae its signature color - however, species with a high amount of carotenoids (an accessory pigment) can be completely orange.

Image Credit: Dr. Jane M. Caffrey