Ochrophyta
Encyclopedia
Ochrophyta is a group of mostly photosynthetic
heterokont
s. It is divided into two subphyla, Phaeista (comprising Hypogyristea and Chrysista) and Khakista (comprising Bolidomonas
and diatom
s).
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
heterokont
Heterokont
The heterokonts or stramenopiles are a major line of eukaryotes currently containing more than 100,000 known species. Most are algae, ranging from the giant multicellular kelp to the unicellular diatoms, which are a primary component of plankton...
s. It is divided into two subphyla, Phaeista (comprising Hypogyristea and Chrysista) and Khakista (comprising Bolidomonas
Bolidomonas
Bolidomonas is a genus of unicellular picoplanktonic heterokonts. It was recently discovered. Genetically it is close to diatoms, but differs morphologically from them. Bolidomonas cells have two flagella, chloroplasts with girdle lamella, and no eyespot...
and diatom
Diatom
Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although they can exist as colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons , fans , zigzags , or stellate colonies . Diatoms are producers within the food chain...
s).