phycology

phycology
—phycological /fuy'keuh loj"i keuhl/, adj. —phycologist, n.
/fuy kol"euh jee/, n.
the branch of botany dealing with algae.
[1875-80; PHYCO- + -LOGY]

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also called  algology 

      the study of algae, a large heterogeneous group of chiefly aquatic plants ranging in size from microscopic forms to species as large as shrubs or trees. The discipline is of immediate interest to humans because of algae's importance in ecology. Certain algae, especially planktonic (i.e., floating or drifting) forms, constitute a vital segment of food chains. In coastal regions many large species of algae are supplementary food sources for humans. In industry some algae are sources of commercially valuable substances such as iodine, agar, carrageenan, alginic acid, and potash. Other alga products are used in insulating materials, bricks, scouring powder, and filters. Certain species are used in sewage-oxidation ponds.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Phycology — (from Greek gr. φύκος, phykos , seaweed ; and gr. λογία, logia ) or algology (from Latin la. alga , also seaweed ), a subdiscipline of botany, is the scientific study of algae. Algae are important as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Most… …   Wikipedia

  • Phycology — Phy*col o*gy, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + logy.] The science of alg[ae], or seaweeds; algology. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • phycology — 1847, from PHYCO (Cf. phyco ) + LOGY (Cf. logy). Related: Phycological; phycologist …   Etymology dictionary

  • phycology — [fī käl′ə jē] n. [< Gr phykos, seaweed (see PHYCEAE) + LOGY] ALGOLOGY phycologist n …   English World dictionary

  • phycology — noun Date: circa 1847 the study or science of algae called also algology • phycological adjective • phycologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • phycology — (fi kol o je) The study of algae; algology …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • phycology — noun The scientific study of algae. See Also: phycological, phycologist …   Wiktionary

  • phycology — phy·col·o·gy jē n, pl gies the study or science of algae phy·co·log·i·cal .fī kə läj i kəl adj …   Medical dictionary

  • phycology — study of algae and seaweeds Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • phycology — phy·col·o·gy || faɪ kÉ‘lÉ™dʒɪ / kÉ’ n. algology, branch of botany that concentrates on the study of algae …   English contemporary dictionary

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