Editing Algae (section)

==Life cycle==
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[[Red algae|Rhodophyta]], [[Chlorophyta]], and [[Heterokont]]ophyta, the three main algal divisions, have life cycles which show considerable variation and complexity. In general, an asexual phase exists where the seaweed's cells are [[Ploidy|diploid]], a sexual phase where the cells are [[haploid]], followed by fusion of the male and female [[gamete]]s. Asexual reproduction permits efficient population increases, but less variation is possible. Commonly, in sexual reproduction of unicellular and colonial algae, two specialized, sexually compatible, haploid gametes make physical contact and fuse to form a [[zygote]]. To ensure a successful mating, the development and release of gametes is highly synchronized and regulated; pheromones may play a key role in these processes.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Frenkel |first1=J. |last2=Vyverman |first2=W. |last3=Pohnert |first3=G. |title=Pheromone signaling during sexual reproduction in algae |journal=Plant J. |volume=79 |issue=4 |pages=632–644 |year=2014 |pmid=24597605 |doi=10.1111/tpj.12496|doi-access=free |bibcode=2014PlJ....79..632F }}</ref> Sexual reproduction allows for more variation and provides the benefit of efficient recombinational repair of DNA damages during [[meiosis]], a key stage of the sexual cycle.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bernstein |first1=Harris |last2=Byerly |first2=Henry C. |last3=Hopf |first3=Frederic A. |last4=Michod |first4=Richard E. |date=1985-09-20 |title=Genetic Damage, Mutation, and the Evolution of Sex |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.3898363 |journal=Science |language=en |volume=229 |issue=4719 |pages=1277–1281 |bibcode=1985Sci...229.1277B |doi=10.1126/science.3898363 |issn=0036-8075 |pmid=3898363}}</ref> However, sexual reproduction is more costly than asexual reproduction.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Otto |first=S. P. |title=The evolutionary enigma of sex |journal=Am. Nat. |volume=174 |issue=Suppl 1 |pages=S1–S14 |year=2009 |pmid=19441962 |doi=10.1086/599084 |bibcode=2009ANat..174S...1O |s2cid=9250680 |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24427058 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111359/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24427058 |archive-date=9 April 2017}}</ref> Meiosis has been shown to occur in many different species of algae.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Heywood |first1=P. |last2=Magee |first2=P. T. |title=Meiosis in protists: Some structural and physiological aspects of meiosis in algae, fungi, and protozoa |journal=Bacteriol Rev |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=190–240 |year=1976 |pmid=773364 |pmc=413949 |doi=10.1128/MMBR.40.1.190-240.1976}}</ref>