What do algae have in common with other protists and plants, and what is the difference?

The alga has no roots, it has ribosomes that perform the function of fixation on the surface. Higher plants have roots that perform nutritional and fixative functions. Algae get their nourishment from the water. And in higher plants, the roots perform a nutritious function – they carry a solution of necessary substances and trace elements from the soil to the plant. The process of photosynthesis, which requires light and oxygen, is inherent in both algae and higher plants.