Protist / Algae Live Specimens Lab
Nostoc Blue-green alga. Filaments are called “trichomes”. Form slimy gelatinous colonies with many trichomes encapsulated within a sheath. No nucleus visible, but chromatin granules seen. Large cells (heterocysts) visible and are breakage points from which new colonies form.
Spirogyra Green alga. Filamentous. Spiral – shaped chloroplast. More than 400 species in the world. Conjugation (sexual reproduction) seen as a ladder-like structure.
Ulothrix (Spore-like) Filamentous green algae Fresh and Marine Environment Eukaryotic Unicellular Autotrophic Vegetative/Sexual or Asexual Reproduction
Hydrodictyon Green alga Colonial “Water net” Weed or pest organism Cells arranged in pentagons or hexagons Some colonies reach lengths up to 8 inches Pest organism
Euglena Unicellular protist. Freshwater. One flagellum is visible. Contains chloroplast and can carry out photosynthesis. Flexible body that can change shape. Divides by binary fission.
Paramecium Unicellular protist. Freshwater pond. Reproduces both asexually and sexually via conjugation. Cilia for movement. Macronucleus and one or more micronuclei. More than 80,000 species identified.
Blepharisma Unicellular protist. Ciliate. Pink colored pigment. Contractile vacuole without canals. Macronucleus shape varies. Eat bacteria from decaying vegetation. Conjugation occurs.
Amoeba Unicellular protist. Moves via extending pseudopods. Feeds by extending pseudopods around food and engulfing it (phagocytosis). “Shape shifter”. Reproduces via binary fission.
Eudorina Colonial flagellate. 16 – 64 spherical cells, each with 2 flagella. Contain chloroplasts and can carry out photosynthesis. Green alga.