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Euglena

Euglena

1 8.9
A tiny green single cell that lives in water and can move and make food from light
  • noun
  • /juˈɡlinə/
  • Specialized
: Euglena
  • The appeal of this system rested on making the plant and animal kingdoms monophyletic and solving the problem of intermediates like Euglena that had been claimed by both botanists and zoologists.

Examples

  • Euglena are often found in both freshwater and seawater, where they can photosynthesize and move using their single flagellum.

  • So you can measure how large Euglena is, you can measure how fast it moves.

  • Heritable changes in Euglena and fruit flies can be triggered by chemically or physically induced mass elimination of elements containing nucleic acid (see box page 702):

    Academic text (1993)
  • Scientists have observed Euglena under a microscope to study their unique movement and photosynthetic capabilities.

  • In aquatic ecosystems, Euglena play an important role as primary producers due to their ability to harness sunlight for energy.

Synonyms

algae
vsEuglena
63 3.6

A simple green plant that grows in water and has no roots, stems, or leaves

is a single-celled photosynthetic genus with a flagellum not the general plant group
green algae
vsEuglena
4 3.0

A green living thing that grows on wet rocks, damp wood, or still water

is a single-celled flagellated freshwater and saltwater genus not this general group
microalga
vsEuglena
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A very small living thing like a water plant that you can only see with a microscope

is a specific genus not any small photosynthetic organism across habitats
euglenid
vsEuglena
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A one-celled living thing in fresh and salt water that moves with a whip-like tail

is the specific genus not the whole wider group
euglenophyte
vsEuglena
  • Specialized
9.9

A single-celled living thing in water, often green, with a tail used to move

is a specific genus within that broader taxonomic group
euglenoid
vsEuglena
  • Specialized
9.9

A single-celled water organism with a whip-like tail that often makes food from light

is the named genus rather than a general member of the group

Surface Forms

Euglena singular
Euglenas plural

Etymology

Euglena comes from Greek parts eu- meaning 'good' and glēnē meaning 'eye'. Many of these single cells have a small eyespot to sense light, so the name reminds us they have a 'good eye' that helps them move toward light.