Darean and I gathered information about red algae for our project. We learned that red algae are red because of the presence of the pigment called phycoerythrin. This pigment reflects different shades of red and absorbs blue light. Red algae is often used to eat as well. In Japan, people snack on sheets of "nori" or red seaweed because it provides nutrients, vitamins, and protein. One of the most significant roles that red algae plays in the oceans habitat is that it is a major building block in the coral reefs. They are sometimes said to provide even more structure than coral itself.