Question

explain spirogyra in brief ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Spirogyra is a filamentous algae, commonly found in freshwater ditches and ponds. Go through this article for a brief overview about these algae.

Spirogyra is also known as pond silk, as its filaments shine like silk due to the presence of mucilage. The outer cell wall has pectin which dissolves continuously, thereby producing the mucilage. Spirogyra filaments are slippery and float in large masses.

Explanation:

Spirogyra – Parts and Structure

Spirogyra has long, unbranched filaments with cylindrical cells that are connected end to end. The cell wall is made up of an outer layer of pectin and an inner layer of cellulose. The inner surface of the cell wall is lined with a thin layer of cytoplasm. The spiraled ribbon-shaped chloroplasts are embedded in this cytoplasm layer. The number of chloroplast strands in each cell may vary between 1 to 16. Each chloroplast strand has several round bodies called ‘pyrenoids’, which are responsible for starch production. Each cell has a central vacuole, and a prominent nucleus that is suspended by thin strands of cytoplasm that are attached to the inner part of the cell wall. The cells are long and thin, and each spirogyra filament measures between 10 to 100 micrometer in width. Sometimes, these filaments develop root-like structures for attaching themselves to the substrate.