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What is a kelp?
Kelps are large brown algae seaweeds that make up the order Laminariales. There are about 30 different genera. Despite its appearance, kelp is not a plant; it is a heterokont .
Why are kelp trees important to the environment?
Kelps provide critical habitat and are an important food source for a wide range of coastal organisms, including many fish and invertebrates. Until early in the 19th century, the ash of such seaweeds was an important source of potash and iodine.
What is the role of iodine in kelp?
^ Iodine Helps Kelp Fight Free Radicals and May Aid Humans, Too Newswise, Retrieved on July 8, 2008. ^ Leung, Angela M.; Braverman, Lewis E. (March 2014). “Consequences of excess iodine”.
What limits the growth of kelp?
Growth may be limited by grazing. Sea urchins, for example, can reduce entire areas to urchin barrens. The kelp life cycle involves a diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte stage. The haploid phase begins when the mature organism releases many spores, which then germinate to become male or female gametophytes.
How high up does kelp grow?
Growing up from the ocean floor about 2–30 meters, and as much as 20–30 cm above the ocean’s surface. Kelp does not have roots. Instead, it is secured by holdfasts that lock onto substrates made of rock, or cobble. Although it functions in a way like a root, holdfasts do not absorb nutrients.
What is the function of the holdfast in kelp?
Although it functions in a way like a root, holdfasts do not absorb nutrients. Its backbone, or stipe, grows upward from the holdfast; attached to the stipe are leaves or fronds, where photosynthesis takes place. Gas bladders (pneumatocysts) keep the top parts of the kelp afloat.
Does kelp have a gas bladder?
Gas bladders (pneumatocysts) keep the top parts of the kelp afloat. Two kinds of kelp grow on the eastern Pacific coast: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana). Giant kelp, a perennial, has a pneumatocyst on each blade. Giant kelp has been known to live as much as seven years.
Where can you find kelp forests?
Kelp forests can be seen along much of the west coast of North America. Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore. They grow in dense groupings much like a forest on land. These underwater towers of kelp provide food…
What is alginate and kelp good for?
It’s believed that alginate may reduce the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream ( x ). Kelp also contains vanadium, a naturally occurring metal that may play an important role in regulating insulin, which helps the body control blood sugar levels.
How does kelp help control blood sugar levels?
Kelp contains alginate, a substance known to help prevent blood-sugar spikes in animals. It’s believed that alginate may reduce the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream ( x ). Kelp also contains vanadium, a naturally occurring metal that may play an important role in regulating insulin, which helps the body control blood sugar levels.
Do kelp supplements contain iodine?
White Plains, New York, April 25, 2017 — Kelp supplements are promoted as a natural source of iodine, an important mineral for healthy thyroid function. But are they a good alternative to regular iodine supplements?
What information is included in the kelp supplements report?
Included in the report is information to help consumers understand the pros and cons of using kelp supplements, dosage, and the potential side-effects and drug interactions of kelp supplements.
What are the dangers of kelp supplements?
High doses of iodine can cause thyroid dysfunction and have other negative effects. To be safe, the FDA states that a kelp supplement should not provide more than 225 mcg of iodine per daily serving.