The important characteristics of algae spirogyra are:
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It is an unbranched, filamentous green algae occurring in the stagnant water so known as pond scum.
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A mucilaginous covering or sheath is present which makes the surface slimy hence known as pond silk.
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A double layered cell wall is present in which the outer wall is made of pectin and inner wall of cellulose.
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A spirally coiled or ribbon shaped chloroplast with number of pyrenoids is present.
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Reproduction occurs both in vegetative and sexual methods.
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Vegetative reproduction is by fragmentation.
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Sexual reproduction takes place by conjugation.
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Three types of conjugation is found in spirogyra. They are i. scalariform conjugation, ii. Lateral conjugation, iii. Self conjugation.
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The lifecycle of the spirogyra is haplobiontic.
