The Invisible ABCs

Exploring the World of Microbes...

Letter A

Hyalotheca dissiliens

Habitat: 

 

Hyalotheca grows in standing freshwater that is not polluted.

 

Importance:

 

Due to their dependence on clear, relatively nutrient-poor waters, microorganisms like Hyalotheca are excellent indicator organisms. If these types of microbes are present in an aquatic environment, pollution levels are low. 

 

Hyalotheca harvests energy from sunlight in a process called photosynthesis.  The algae release oxygen in the process of photosynthesis.  Many living organisms require oxygen to survive.  In addition, algae are the basis of the food chain in aquatic environments.

 

Classification:

 

Hyalotheca is a unicellular microorganism that belongs to a group of algae called desmids.  These organisms are green and harvest their energy from the sun by photosynthesis.  Desmid cells consist of two half-cells being mirror images of one another.  The shape of the half-cells is highly variable, giving the organism a symmetrical, elegant appearance.

 

Size:

 

15 to 30 mm