See Also: cryptomonad(encyclopedia)

Saxon (oh) and cryptomonad (sh)


Saxon (oh)



[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Late Latin; Origin: Saxones 'Saxons']
a member of the race of people from northern Europe that came to live in England in the 5th century
-- Saxon adj

cryptomonad (sh)




Any small organism with two flagella that is considered both a protozoan and an alga (see algae).

Occurring in both fresh and salt water, cryptomonads contain pigments found only in red algae and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). They sometimes live harmlessly within Other organisms. Some species conduct photosynthesis. Others lack pigment-containing structures and eat organic matter, under certain conditions surviving on minerals alone.