Question

Spirogyra is commonly called pond silk because

• A. Silk is manufactured from it.
• B. It looks like silk thread.
• C. Filaments shine like silk due to the presence of mucilage.
• D. None of the above.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Filaments shine like silk due to the presence of mucilage.

Spirogyra is the filamentous green algae. It is found in freshwater habitats like ponds. It has spiral green coloured chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll. The outer cell wall of the spirogyra has pectin. This pectin produces mucilage. It is because of the presence of this mucilage that it shines like silk.

So, option C is the correct answer.