Structure of Rhodophyta
- Mostly multicellular and form colonies, but can be unicellular
- Eukaryotic cells, lacking flagella and centrioles
- Use floridean polysaccharides to store food
The red algae form a distinct group characterized by these attributes: eukaryotic cells without flagella and centrioles, using floridean polysaccharides as food reserves, with phycobiliproteins as accessory pigments (giving them their red color), and with chloroplasts lacking external endoplasmic reticulum and containing unstacked thylakoids. [4] Most red algae are also multicellular, macroscopic, marine, and have sexual reproduction. They often have alternation of generations and may have three generations rather than two.[6]