Biosynthesis of Photosynthates and Taxonomy of Algae

Photosynthesis, Assimilates, C-Metabolism, M arine/Freshw ater Algae, Taxonomy The representatives of the major algal divisions including Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Heterokontophyta usually show specific patterns o f accumulated photoassim ilatory products. Among these compounds, the accumulated low-molecular weight carbohydrates such as mono­ saccharides, disaccharides, alditols (i.e. polyhydroxy alcohols) and heterosides are of particular interest. Comparative analyses based on photosynthetic 14C-labelling provided sufficient evidence that occurrence and distribution o f such compounds are in general indicative for particular algal taxa and in some cases useful biochemical param eters for a classiciation of lower taxa even at the ordinal or the generic levels.