Question:

Hydrocolloid carrageen is obtained from

Updated On: May 2, 2025
  • Chlorophyceae and Phaeophyceae
  • Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae
  • Rhodophyceae only
  • Phaeophyceae only
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Carrageenan is a hydrocolloid extracted from certain species of red algae, which belong to the division Rhodophyta. These red algae are categorized under the class Rhodophyceae. Carrageenan is popular in the food industry as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent. It is predominantly obtained from several genera of red algae, such as Kappaphycus and Eucheuma.

To understand why only Rhodophyceae is the correct option:

1. Chlorophyceae: This class consists of green algae, not typically known for producing carrageenan.

2. Phaeophyceae: Known as brown algae, they contain other types of hydrocolloids like alginates, but not carrageenan.

3. Rhodophyceae: They are red algae and the true source of carrageenan due to their unique chemical structure.

Given these points, the correct answer is Rhodophyceae only, as carrageenan is specifically derived from members of this class.

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Concepts Used:

Plant Kingdom

The Plant Kingdom comprises all the plants that have some shared characteristics. These are bacteria (prokaryotes), photosynthetic plants, fungi, and several non-photosynthetic plants.

Read Also: Two Kingdom Classification

Several features of Kingdom Plantae are as follows:

  • They are stationary. They are static and usually remain in one place only.
  • They have branches that expanded and green leaves due to the presence of chlorophyll.
  • They are an autotrophic mode of nutrition that simply means they prepare their food with the help of water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. It is further known as self-nutrition.
  • They indulge in photosynthesis during the day and therefore more carbon dioxide is needed during the day and at night it is released.
  • They secure their food in the form of starch-like algae.
  • They have an inelastic wall around their cell known as a cell wall comprised of cellulose.
  • There is an absence of the nervous system and excretory system.
  • Reproduction is entirely dependent on air, insects and water. Asexual and vegetative method of reproduction is noticed or detected.
  • The non-photosynthetic plants acquire their food through parasitism, i.e through their host like Indian pipe.

Read More: Classification of Plants