The cells are usually elongate and cylindrical
with rounded or truncate ends, but may also be elliptical or
fusiform in shape. The cells can excrete large amounts of mucilage.
Each cell has two or four large, axial chloroplasts that appear
frilly due to their elaborate lobes and ridges. The chloroplasts
are stellate in cross-section and contain one or many pyrenoids.
The nucleus is located between the chloroplasts in the center
of the cell.
(Above) Though
difficult to see here, the
nucleusis located in the center of the
cell.
(Below) Close-up
of the end of a cell.
(Above) This pair
of cells remains connected end to end.
(Below) Views of
the cell center and the chloroplasts.
Cells that
have not yet separated to complete division.
