Scenedesmus quadricauda, is a quick growing green algae ideal for pollution, eutrophication and photosynthesis investigations, such as the popular 'algae wrapped in jelly balls' experiment (See SAPS' website for free resources, including a post-16 version, video and support). Scenedesmus is an excellent example of a typical planktonic algae, they are non-motile and consist of 2 to 4 cells arranged in a row.
Division/Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
CCAP Ref: CCAP 276/16
Required Medium: General Freshwater Algal Medium or SAPS' DIY Recipe
Environment: Freshwater
30ml pack size, suitable for 30 students. (If purchasing for the Algal Balls practical a 30ml sample will need to be grown on for 2-3 weeks to ensure sufficient for a class of 30)
Store at room temperature (14-24°C) away from direct sunlight. For longer term storage sample can be refrigerated. Shake before pipetting onto slide & viewing under microscope.
Darwin Biological's algae and protozoa samples are produced in partnership with the Culture Collection of Algae & Protozoa (CCAP) and are only available for UK schools and colleges to purchase. Please visit https://www.ccap.ac.uk/ to purchase if you are a university or commercial customer, or are outside of the UK.
This Scenedesmus culture is also available from the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) based at the University of Reading as part of their Photosynthesis Kit, developed with SAPS (Science & Plants for Schools).
If you already have the kit and just require replacement algae, then this is the product for you! We recommend you purchase the 30ml bottle, it will take 2-3 weeks to grow to the needed quantity so please order in plenty of time.