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Desmidiaceae
The Desmidiaceae are one of four family (biology), families of Charophyta, charophyte green algae in the order (biology), order Desmidiales (desmids).See the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI]webpage on Desmidiaceae Data extracted from the Desmids in the family Desmidiaceae consist of single-celled (sometimes filamentous or colonial), microscopic green algae. Because they are highly symmetrical, attractive, and come in a diversity of forms, they are popular subjects for microscopy, microscopists, both amateur and professional. Within the desmids (Desmidiales), Desmidiaceae contains tens of genera and thousands of species, making it by far the largest family. Desmidiaceae includes some of the largest and most complex desmid genera, such as ''Micrasterias'', ''Cosmarium'', ''Staurastrum'', and ''Euastrum''. Description Desmids are single-celled (sometimes filamentous or colonial) algae, which are generally constricted in the middle, having two identical halves c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Micrasterias
''Micrasterias'' is a Cell (biology), unicellular green alga of the order Desmidiales. Its species vary in size reaching up to hundreds of microns. ''Micrasterias'' displays a bilateral symmetry, with two mirror image semi-cells joined by a narrow isthmus containing the nucleus of the organism. This dual semi-cell structure is unique to the group of green algae to which ''Micrasterias'' belongs. Each semi-cell contains a single large chloroplast, the site of photosynthesis for ''Micrasterias''. Chloroplasts within Micrasterias contain chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and the enzymes required for photosynthesis. The sugar created is used to provide energy for the organism or, if not used, taken up by many small round pyrenoids which are embedded in the chloroplast. They convert the sugar to a starch for storage. ''Micrasterias'' can produce both asexually and sexually. Asexual reproduction occurs via mitosis. When this occurs the genetic material of ''Micrasterias'' is duplicated a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
