Ochrophyta

The Heterokontophyta are some scientists a separate department within the realm of protists ( Protista ), they are allocated to the realm of Stramenopilen ( Stramenopila ). It summarizes the prevailing opinion valid today departments of brown algae ( Phaeophyta ) and the golden algae ( Chrysophyta ) together.

The Department of the brown algae is then the class of brown algae ( Phaeophyceae ), whereas the Department of golden algae is divided into four classes, namely gold green algae ( Xanthophyceae ), the gold brown algae ( Chrysophyceae ), the diatoms ( Bacillariophyceae ) and the Oomycophyceae.

A common feature of Heterokontophyta is typical of the Stramenopilen heterokonte flagella. They have a long Zuggeißel and a shorter trailing flagellum. The Zuggeißel is directed forward.

Heterokontophyta store carbohydrates in the form of Chrysolaminarin in special vacuoles outside the chloroplasts.