Writings: Labels Sample 811rv Days Diabetes Algae		Algae: animal, vegetable, neither or what? This was originally a post on the VegSource Raw and Sports Nutrition discussion board to answer a question about why I said that the vegan-ness of algae and seaweeds was questionable. I rarely eat these things for many reasons including the questionableness of their vegan status. Other reasons include the high pollution of the ocean and how they are the filters of the pollution, the sea salt in them, and most importantly how they apparently do not have B12, but analog B12, which mimics B12 even to the point of fooling the body enough to have it take the place of B12 we need in our bodies (without the benefits of real B12 & thus potentially blocking our bodies' ability to manufacture, absorb and/or use real B12). It is not so clear about whether seaweeds (a multicellular version of algae) are animal or vegetable, or neither... actually. Even phycologists (those who study algae) don't agree on it. From http://www.freakinfucus.co.uk/primers/prim_basic.htm: "Seaweed's differ in many aspects to terrestrial higher plants (trees, shrubs etc.) but are still regarded by many phyclogists (phycology - the study of seaweed's) to be plants." and from http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/Algd-Din.htm#pyrrho: "In systematics, dinoflagellates have been claimed by both botanists and zoologists. Dinoflagellates share features common to both plants and animals: they can swim, many have cell walls, and both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic species are known. Botanists have grouped them with the "microalgae" and zoologists have grouped them with the protozoa, and both have produced classification schemes for this diverse and confusing group." There are lots and lots of algae and seaweeds, and they vary quite a bit. Some of them, like diatoms, have shells and travel around more like crustacions and such, some don't even have chlorophyll. From http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/Algd-Bac.htm#bacill: "Most diatoms are planktonic, but some are bottom dwellers or grow on other algae or plants. Except for their male gametes, diatoms lack flagella. Instead many diatoms achieve locomotion from controlled secretions in response to outside physical and chemical stimuli. Diatoms have unique shells, which serve as their cell wall. -snip- Most diatoms are autotrophic, but a few are obligate heterotrophs (they must absorb organic carbon) because they lack chlorophyll altogether." Actually, some of them may be considered vegan, but not plants either, being closer to bacteria, like Spirulina (which is a cyanobacteria). From: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/Algd-Cya.htm#cyano: "Even though the Cyanobacteria are classified as bacteria (lacking a membrane-bounded nucleus) they are photosynthetic and are included among our algal collections. -snip- Cyanobacteria can also occur as symbionts of protozoans, diatoms and lichen-forming fungi, and vascular plants. Some blue-greens can fix nitrogen as well as photosynthesize, allowing them to grow with only light, water, a few minerals, and the nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. -snip- Large blooms of freshwater Cyanobacteria may produce toxins that can kill livestock. Other forms (Spirulina) are grown commercially and marketed as a high-protein dietary supplement." Some of them, like dinoflagellates are more like parasites even. From http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/Algd-Din.htm#pyrrho: "Some species are present as parasites in marine invertebrates and fish. Some even serve as symbionts, known as zooxanthellae, providing organic carbon to their hosts: reef-building corals, sponges, clams, jellyfish, anemones and squid. -snip- Additionally, certain species of dinoflagellates produce neurotoxins. These toxins are carried up the food chain, ultimately to humans and can, sometimes result in permanent neurological damage or even death." Some algae, like coralline algae, are somewhat similar to coral in appearance, texture and behavior. From http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/Algd-Rho.htm#rhodo: "The coralline red algae deposit calcium carbonate in their cell walls, making them particularly tough and stony." pictures of stony coral (animal) vs. coralline algae (seaweed) and Even looking at some of them it's hard to tell the difference between an algae and a coral or even algae and zooanthid anemones (both of which are cnidaria, which are classified as animals). From http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/coral/scientific-classification.htm about cnidaria: "This diverse invertebrate (invertebrates are animals without spinal columns) group includes corals, sea anemones, hydras, jellyfishes, and their relatives." Algae: Algae: Coral: Algae: Algae: Coral: Algae: Coral: Algae: Algae: Algae: Algae: Zooanthid Anemones & Coral: Algae: Algae: Coral: Next -- >>>