akinete and heterocytes
The specialized cells of Aphanizomenon ovalisporum: an akinete (large, thick-walled, egg-shaped cell in the upper filament) and a hetetocyte (egg-shaped, transparent cells in the middle and bottom filaments).
The akinetes are much larger than regular cells and can be mid-filament or terminal, at times a few in a single filament, sometimes several in a row. Akinetes function as asexual resting stage and are resistant to harsh conditions. Akinete formation is induced by P-limitation. The akinetes separate from the filament and sink to the sediments, where they remain until conditions are suitable for germination. This image was taken by Alla Alster using an Olympus BX50 Microscope equipped with DIC optics. The copyright holders of this image are Alla Alster & Tamar Zohary and the image is used by micro*scope with agreement of the authors.
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Aphanizomenon ovalisporum
From the collection
Lake Kinneret planktonic life forms
No description of Aphanizomenon ovalisporum available.
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