Which of the following algae are rich in proteins and are used as food supplements by space travellers?

a) Spirulina

b) Spirogyra

c) Chlorella

d) Funaria

The correct answer is a and c.

Key Points

• Spirulina 
  • Spirulina is a unicellular Blue-Green Algae.
  • It is an edible Blue Green Algae because it has large amount of proteins present.
  • It can be grown artificially in water tanks.
  • It is fodder for cattle.
• Chlorella
  • Chlorella (green algae) is known as the Space algae and is used in space research.
  • It serves as a good source of food for humans in space as it contains a high level of iron, vitamins and amino acids.
  • It grows easily in the presence of sunlight, minerals and water and using hydroponics.

Additional Information

• Spirogyra
  • Spirogyra is a kind of Algae.
  • It is a large genus (about 400 species) of freshwater green algae found in shallow ponds, ditches and amongst the vegetation of large lakes.
  • It does not form any gametes and reproduction takes place entirely within the algae.
  • It often grows in short-lived ponds that build up during wet weather and dry up subsequently.
• Funaria
  • Funaria belongs to the group Bryophyta. 
  • They don't have a vascular system.
  • Funaria fertilisation is dependent on water for the transfer of sperm to the egg.
  • The main plant body is a gametophyte which is independent and the sporophyte is partially or fully dependent on gametophytic generation.
  • Funaria is a type of Moss commonly called Rope moss or Cord moss.