EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Euglena: is a single-celled microscopic algae that is both heterotrophic (must consume food) and autotrophic (can make its own food). Their chloroplasts trap sunlight and use it to carry out photosynthesis.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Euglena is unique in that it is both heterotrophic (must consume food) and autotrophic (can make its own food). Chloroplasts within the euglena trap sunlight that is used for photosynthesis and can be seen as several rod-like structures throughout the cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Euglena can also gain nutrients by absorbing them across their cell membrane, hence they become heterotrophic when light is not available, and when they cannot photosynthesize. It is because of this they are also called mixotrophs.

Detailed explanation-4: -Euglena’s nutrition is photoautotrophic. In the absence of light, it can obtain nutrition from dead and decaying organic matter in the substrate by secreting digestive enzymes (saprophytic feeding). Euglena lacks this dual mode of nourishment. Some are holozoic (Peranema) and others are saprobic (Rhabdomonas).