Designed for those with a general scientific background, the book covers freshwater, marine, and terrestrial forms. It presents an overview of the classification of the algae; followed by reviews of life cycles, reproductions, and phylogeny, providing a conceptual framework that promotes a deeper understanding of more complex topics. It examines levels of organization from the subcellular, cellular, and morphological standpoints, leading to discussions involving physiology, biochemistry, culture methods, and finally, the role of algae in human society. The book supplies carefully selected literature references that direct researchers to an abundance of precise details from original sources.