Question

Are Desmids Photoautotrophic?

Answer 1

Photoautotrophic organisms

1. The photoautotrophic organism makes its own food using sunlight and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.
2. They consist of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the conversion of solar radiation into cellular energy.
3. Examples- Green algae, grass, trees, green plants, etc.

Desmids

1. Desmids or desmidales are green algae belonging to Charophyta.
2. They are colonial or filamentous single-celled organisms made of two semi-cells that are centrally connected by an isthmus.
3. They may be covered by a protective gelatinous sheath that prevents them from unfavorable environmental conditions.
4. These organisms have folded chloroplast that photosynthesized food in the presence of sunlight. The prepared carbohydrates are stored in structures called pyrenoids.
5. Since desmids prepare their food using sunlight in chloroplasts, they are called photoautotrophic organisms.
6. Examples-Cosmarium, Euastrum, etc