NOSTOC PRACTICAL

 

Sample A₁

1.    Supplied specimen typically forms gelatinous colonies, often referred to as "gelatinous masses" or "gelatinous colonies." These colonies can vary in size and shape.

 

2.    The colonies are greenish to bluish-green in color and contain many contorted or twisted trichomes.

 

3.    The trichomes are composed of rounded or oval cells. The cells are arranged in a single row, like beads on a string.

 

4.    They forms filaments of cells connected end to end. The filaments can be observed in the gelatinous matrix

 

5.    Individual cells of the specimen are typically cylindrical or bead-like in shape.

 

6.    They have characteristic photosynthetic pigments which gives them a greenish colour.

 

7.    Presence of larger, round cells with thick cell walls.

 

                        .........Hence the supplied specimen is Nostoc sp.

 

                             Systematic position:
                                                Class:        Cyanophyceae
                                                       Order:          Nostocales
                                                                 Family:        Nostocaceae
                                                                            Genus:       Nostoc