Question

what is the difference between gelatinous sheath and mucilagenous sheath in cyanobacteria?(ncert class 11)

Answer 1

Gelatinous sheath is a voluminous and fluffy sheaths found generally around the cells in colonies of blue green algal cells (cyanobacteria) and it holds the cells in colonies together.

Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance produced by nearly all plants and some microorganisms. These microorganisms include protists which use it for their locomotion. The direction of their movement is always opposite to that of the secretion of mucilage

Answer 2

Difference between gelatinous sheath and mucilagenous sheath in cyanobacteria:

Cyanobacteria contain two sheath, gelatinous sheath and mucilaginous sheet.

Mucilaginous sheath:

• The mucilaginous sheath is made of the glycoprotein, which is used for several functions.
• It is glue like in nature.
• It is found generally around the cells.

Gelatinous sheath:

• The gelatinous sheath is made of collagen in form of cellulose fibrils which is protein type.
• They are gas vesicles hollow protein.
• The usage of these is to maintain cell locomotion and maintain colonies.