Algae present in the group Bacillariophyta (class Bacillariophyceae) are known as diatoms. They constitute a very large assemblage of unicellular algae. Diatoms differ from other algae due to their symmetrical structure and delicately designed cell walls. Thus, diatoms are considered…
The members of the Phaeophyta (class Phaeophyceae) are known as brown algae due to their characteristic brown colour. They exhibit a brown colour because of the presence of the golden brown pigment fucoxanthin. The plant body of brown algae is…
Algae found in the group Rhodophyta (class Rhodophyceae) are red in colour. So these are also known as red algae. The algae show red colour due to the presence of the red pigments r-phycocyanin and r-phycoerythrin. Characteristics of Rhodophyta Distribution…
The female gametophyte of gymnosperms is a multicellular structure serving the functions of bearing the archegonia and nourishing the developing embryo. It exhibits a progressive series of significant changes leading towards angiosperm conditions. Due to the absence of fossil records,…
Spirogyra is a free-floating, freshwater, filamentous green alga of the class Chlorophyceae. It is usually found in stagnant water bodies such as ponds, pools, ditches, etc. Spirogyra is also known as water silk or blanket weed, as its filament is…
Ulothrix is an unbranched filamentous green alga of the class Chlorophyceae. It is commonly found in freshwater ponds, pools, lakes, etc. The word Ulothrix means shaggy or curly hair (in Greek, oulos = shaggy or curly and thrix = hair).…
Penicillium is a saprophytic fungus of the class Plectomycetes. It is found in all parts of the world. The name penicillium is derived from the Latin word penicillus, which means artist’s brush. As the structure of its conidiophore resembles that…
Anabaena is a planktonic blue-green alga of the class Cyanophyceae. It is often found in freshwater habitats. Anabaena is known for its nitrogen fixing abilities. Salient Features of Anabaena The salient features of Anabaena are as follows: Read also- Oscillatoria:…
Aspergillus is a common saprophytic fungus of the class Plectomycetes. The name Aspergillus is adapted from the Latin name Aspergillum, which means holy water sprinkler. As the fungus has a sprinkler-like appearance when viewed under a microscope. Occurrence of Aspergillus…
Peziza is a saprophytic fungus of the class Discomycetes. It is often coprophilous in habit, growing on dung. Peziza is commonly known as cup fungus, due to its cup-shaped fruit body. Occurrence of Peziza Peziza is a genus in the…