Specimen #8 Spirogyra Algae Sample

Figure 1: Overview of Spiragyra. Not fully
zoomed in.

Figure 2: Closer look at the Spiragyra. Cell wall
and color is visible 

Name: Spirogyra
Common Names: Green Algae 
Family: Zygnemataceae
Collected Date: 10/22/16
Habitat: Live in freshwater such as neutral or slightly acidic pH ponds, lakes and slow movign streams and rivers. Grows in short lived ephemeral ponds that build up during wet weather and dry up shortly after.

Location: Given in Lab 

Description: Thallus in un-branched or unattached. Cylindrical cell with one or more green spiraling chloroplasts. Nucleus can be seen in the cell. Muscilage layer coats the filament. The strands feel soapy.
Key Used:
Keying Steps:
1. Algae are filamentous- cells are joined end to end or comprised of ling tubes without cell wall
2. microscopic- magnification is needed to see any detail
3. Filaments are un-branched
4. Chloroplasts visible inside cells are green or yellow-green in color
.5. Cell wall is smooth and featureless; filaments are long and cells are not easily dissociated.


Key Links
http://hseballnotes.blogspot.com/2013/06/spirogyra-general-description-of.html

http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guide/filamentous/microscopic/unbranched/chloroplasts-green-yellow/wall-featureless/spirogyra