Lesson plan
Coelastrella
Coelastrella is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is currently classified in the subfamily Coelastroideae. Coelastrella consists of solitary cells or clusters of a few cells. Cells are spherical to ellipsoidal or lemon-shaped, and are surrounded by a hyaline or brownish cell wall with 4 to 40 longitudinal striations. Cells contain numerous conspicuous vacuoles. Each cell contains one nucleus and a single parietal chloroplast, each with one pyrenoid. When mature, cultures may form a deep red color due to the presence of pigments in the cells. A distinctive identifying feature of Coelastrella are the longitudinal striations on the cell walls. These are often only visible under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Due to the scarcity of morphological characteristics visible under light microscopy, species of this genus have generally been overlooked. Coelastrella reproduces asexually by the formation of autospores, which are released by a tear in the mother cell wall. Coelastrella has not been observed to undergo sexual reproduction, or exhibit life stages with flagella.
Article summary
Coelastrella is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is currently classified in the subfamily Coelastroideae. Coelastrella consists of solitary cells or clusters of a few cells. Cells are spherical to ellipsoidal or lemon-shaped, and are surrounded by a hyaline or brownish cell wall with 4 to 40 longitudinal striations. Cells contain numerous conspicuous vacuoles. Each cell contains one nucleus and a single parietal chloroplast, each with one pyrenoid. When mature, cultures may form a deep red color due to the presence of pigments in the cells. A distinctive identifying feature of Coelastrella are the longitudinal striations on the cell walls. These are often only visible under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Due to the scarcity of morphological characteristics visible under light microscopy, species of this genus have generally been overlooked. Coelastrella reproduces asexually by the formation of autospores, which are released by a tear in the mother cell wall. Coelastrella has not been observed to undergo sexual reproduction, or exhibit life stages with flagella.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.