EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Spirogyra is a freshwater alga found freely floating on the surface of the stagnant pools, ponds and ditches, etc. It is commonly known as water silk or pond silk. It is a unbranched filament.

Detailed explanation-2: -Spirogyra is known as pond scum, since large masses float on the surface of the filaments. It is often referred to as pond silk because, by dissolving pectin from the outer layer of the cell wall, which is glossy and slimy silk, it continuously secretes mucilage.

Detailed explanation-3: -The mucilage often holds the filaments together in a matted blanket. Hence, Spirogyra is commonly known as pond silk, water silk, pond scum or mermaid’s trees because of their bright green silky appearance.

Detailed explanation-4: -Final answer: Spirogyra is called pond silk because filaments are slippery to touch.

Detailed explanation-5: -Spirogyra is commonly referred to as pond silk, water silk, pond scum, or mermaid’s trees because of their bright green silky appearance. It is unicellular freshwater algae that occur in large free-floating submerged mats and slow-moving streams.