When most people think of algae, they probably think of something that is slimy, gross, and dirty. Algae may irritate people because it grows in unwanted places like swimming pools and boats. Algae can be toxic and it is slimy, but algae benefits people in all aspects of life.
Humans obtain algin from algae to help make ice cream, pudding, face cream, and shoe polish.
Algae is present in hamburgers, yoghurt, and cakes. Algae also helps make explosives, insulation, and paint. Algae produces most of the oxygen that animals breathe and without it the world would suffocate. The Aztecs have proven that this idea is possible. Lake Texcoco flowed near the Aztec civilization.