The Invisible ABCs

Exploring the World of Microbes...

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Asterionella formosa

Habitat: 

 

Asterionella is a star-shaped grouping of individual cells that are held together with a sticky substance.  They live in the oceans.

 

Importance:

 

Asterionella is a microorganism that harvests its energy from sunlight using a process known as photosynthesis.  During photosynthesis, oxygen is released.  In addition, Asterionella and other photosynthetic microbes are the basis for the food chain in the ocean.

 

Classification:

 

Asterionella is a diatom, a group of photosynthetic organisms that live inside two glass-like (silica) plates.