pellicular striations

Description:

Eutreptiella (you-trep-tea-ella), a marine euglenid. The autotrophic euglenids (the ones with chloroplasts) are usually thought of as being freshwater organisms. A small number of species are found in marine habitats - the most commonly reported being Eutreptia (flagella equal in length) and Eutreptiella (flagella unequal in length) . Both have two or more emergent flagella, and these beat actively to propel the cell through the water. Euglenids have chlorophyll b in the plastids, and this gives them a bright green colour. The eyespot (stigma) lies outside the plastids. Euglenids are distinguished, in part, by the ridges under the cell membrane. This detailed image shows the pellicular ridges and the individual plastids. Differential interference contrast