Definition

1. Noun:
   • A class of yellow-green algae: "Class Xanthophyceae" is the scientific taxonomic classification for a group of algae commonly known as yellow-green algae. These are primarily freshwater organisms characterized by their yellow-green chloroplasts, which contain specific pigments like chlorophylls a and c, and a lack of fucoxanthin (the brown pigment found in brown algae).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The pond water sample revealed a diverse population, including members of the class Xanthophyceae.
  • Class Xanthophyceae is distinguished from other algal classes by its unique pigment composition and storage products.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic hierarchy: Used in scientific literature to place organisms within the biological classification system (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, etc.).
  • The organism was definitively assigned to the class Xanthophyceae based on ultrastructural analysis of its plastids.

Variants and Related Words

• Xanthophycean (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the class Xanthophyceae.
  • The xanthophycean cell wall structure is of interest to phycologists.
• Yellow-green algae (n, common name): The informal, non-scientific name for organisms in this class.
  • Yellow-green algae are often found in quiet freshwater habitats.

Synonyms

• Yellow-green algae: The common name for the group.
• Tribophyceae: An older, synonymous taxonomic name for the same class.

Related Terms (Scientific Context)

• Chrysophyceae (class): The class of golden algae, a related but distinct group.
• Chlorophyll c: A type of chlorophyll pigment present in Xanthophyceae.
• Vaucheria (genus): A well-known genus within the class Xanthophyceae.

Noun

1. yellow-green algae