Algae Bloom

 

These beautiful golden spheres are single colonies of the golden algae synura. Like all other organisms, synura is able to reproduce and one colony eventually turns into two. But when conditions are right, reproduction happens a lot more frequently and what used to be a few colonies can quickly turn into an enormous algae bloom. Even though each synura colony is microscopic and only measures around 20-30 microns in diameter. Their large numbers in an algae bloom are able to turn the water in their freshwater habitats a yellowish brown color. A bloom of synura like the one in the image usually happens in spring and fall when the water is cold. But not all algae will bloom in cold water.

Euglena - part plant, part animal

Cells with a nucleus are called true cells, or eukaryotes, which can be further subdivided into kingdoms like plant and animal. Plant cells and animal cells are different in their components and structure, but some organisms does not fit as neatly into these little boxes and can be tricky to place on ‘the tree of life’. One of these is the single celled organism euglena.

Euglena with clearly visible red eyespots

Algae with an eye

Euglena species are often abundant in calm waters, where they can be present in such numbers, that the surface of ponds and ditches can have a green or red color.

Euglena is commonly studied in biology classes because it has both plant (it has chloroplasts and so can photosynthesize) and animal (it moves and can eat) characteristics. Depending on conditions, photosynthesis or eating can predominate. It is a single celled creature with a large flagellum (not visible in this video, see below) that lives in fresh water. It is generally elongate but can change its shape quite dramatically during so-called euglenoid movement. It swims using its flagellum and can orientate itself with respect to gravity and light.

Euglenophyta

These organisms are unicellular and live in fresh water. Some of these organisms are photosynthetic, producing their own food, while others are heterotrophic, eating small organisms.

Euglena acus

The Euglena (genus) acus (species) is a type of Protista which lives in fresh water ponds during warm seasons. The Euglena acus produces its food through