Ochromonas

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Ochromonas (division Chrysophyta) A genus of single-celled algae in which the cells are ovoid, somewhat pointed at the anterior end and blunt at the posterior end; there are typically 2 brown chloroplasts, and 2 flagella: a long, forward-pointing, tinsel flagellum, and a shorter, backward-pointing, whiplash flagellum. Although normally photosynthetic, the cells can also take in food phagotrophically and require organic nutrients to survive. They are found in puddles, ponds, lakes, etc., especially in spring.

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