How many are there? about 500 genera with 8000 species.
	How old are they?  400 to 500 million years old with some at 600 myo.
	Where are green algae found? 90 %of species in freshwater habitats 10 % marine species are predominantly tropical species; many are here in Hawai'i.
	How are their cells organized? One to multinucleate organization.
	What pigments do they possess? Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b Certain tropical genera possess siphonoxanthin & siphonein.
	How is the chloroplast constructed? Thylakoids in stacks of 3 to 6 forming grana.  Chloroplast is enclosed by double unit membrane.
	What storage product is made?  Starch
	Cell wall features? Cellulose fibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix of polysaccharide. The polysaccharides are of at least two types: pectic substances or xylan-mannan polymers.
	Cell and thallus complexity? Many species of unicells exist as free living adults. There are also multicellular complex thalli. These macrophtyes typically have swimming unicells as life-history components (gametes or spores). Check out this diversity

Single cells to multiple cells with increasing complexity (Order Volvocales) with primitive life history.

	Chlamydomonas
	Pandorina
	Gonium
	Eudorina
	Volvox

All of these genera reproduce via the Zygotic Meiosis Life History

Coleochaete

	Ulva
	Enteromorpha

These genera reproduce via the Sporic Meiosis Life History.

	Codium
	Halimeda

These genera reproduce via the Gametic Meiosis Life History.