Nostoc

Gelatinous Balls

Nostoc, Gelatinous Balls. Nostoc is a large genus of cyanobacteria, which occur on land as well as water. The type illustrated here exisits as spherical structures attached to stones in flowing water. The 'balls' consist of a holdfast, a rubbery outer coat enclosing a mass of jelly, and threads of phtosynthetic cells. The balls are clearly visible, being 8-10mm in diameter.


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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Ball and holdfast
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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Nostoc in stream
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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Nostoc in stream
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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Nostoc cells
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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Nostoc cells
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Nostoc, gelatinous balls
Nostoc cells

Photograph detail


Slide 1: Nostoc, Ball, showing holdfast which is on lower surface. Holdfast attaches to stone. Collected from Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.


Slide 2: Nostoc, attached to stones. Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.


Slide 3: Nostoc, attached to stones. Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.


Slide 4: Nostoc. Threads of photosynthetic cells from the ball. Photographed at x400, brightfield illumination. Collected from Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.


Slide 5: Nostoc. Threads of photosynthetic cells from the ball. Photographed at x1000, oil immersion, brightfield illumination. Collected from Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.


Slide 6: Nostoc. Threads of photosynthetic cells from the ball. Photographed at x1000, oil immersion, brightfield illumination. Collected from Galeclose Beck, Hargill, Redmire. May.