Basic features of algae - unicellular to multicellular organisms, typically autotrophic (phototrophic). Yes they are typically autotrophic.
But in the recent issue of Nature Communications Vol. 3, Article number: 1214; doi:10.1038/ncomms2210 it has been reoprted that the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii not only engages in
photosynthesis, it also has an alternative source of energy. A group of scientists from Department of Biology, Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy–Center for
Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany has presented another paradigm of adaptation for C. reinhardtii, highlighting its photoheterotrophic ability to utilize cellulose for growth in the absence of other carbon sources. They claim C. reinhardtii may thus serve as biocatalysts for cellulosic biofuel production.
