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Glite Dictionary
Desmidium

Desmidium

9.9
A single-celled green alga that forms long symmetrical chains in fresh water
  • noun
  • /dɛzˈmɪdiəm/
  • Specialized
: Desmidium
  • The pond sample contained several species of Desmidium and other green algae.

Examples

  • The Desmidium species thrive in clean freshwater environments.

  • Many Desmidium cells can form long chains.

  • Desmidium is frequently studied in laboratories for its unusual cell division and symmetry.

  • Researchers observed the growth patterns of Desmidium under different light conditions.

  • Researchers observed the growth patterns of Desmidium under different light conditions.

  • The pond sample contained several species of Desmidium and other green algae.

  • The Desmidium species thrive in clean freshwater environments.

Synonyms

desmid
vsDesmidium
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A single-celled green algae that lives in fresh water with often symmetric, detailed cell shapes

is a specific genus notable for forming long chains of cells

Surface Forms

Desmidium singular
Desmidiums plural
Desmidia plural

Morphology

Desmidium = desmid (opaque) = desmid + ium

The -ium ending is a Latin taxonomic suffix and the full genus name is a specialized scientific label not deducible by average learners from the base 'desmid'.

Etymology

The word Desmidium comes from the Greek root desmos, which means 'bond' or 'chain', and the scientific ending -idium, meaning 'small'. These green algae often form tiny, symmetrical cells that join into long chains, so the name points to how they 'link' together.