ABSTRACT:  Light scattering properties of algae-like particles are modeled using the T-matrix for coated scatterers.  Two basic geometries have been considered: off-centered coated spheres and centered spheroids.  Extinction, scattering and absorption effiociencies, plus scattering in the backward plane, are compared to simpler models like homogeneous (Mie) and coated (Aden-Kerker) models.  The anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA), of widespread use in the oceanographic light-scattering community, has also been used as a first approximation, for both homogeneous and coated spheres.  T-matrix calculations show that some light scattering values, such as extinction and scattering efficiencies, have little dependence on particle shape, thus reinforcing the view that simpler (Mie, Aden-Kerker) models can be applied to infer refractive index (RI) data from absorption curves.  The backscattering efficiency, on the other hand, is quite sensitive to shape.  This calls into question the use of light scattering techniques where the phase function plays a pivotal role, and can help explain the observed discrepancy between theoretical and experimental values of the backscattering coefficient observed  in oceanic studies.