Light micrograph of Glaucocystis sp. algae. Members of this genus are microscopic, freshwater algae. They may be the original alga type that led to green plants and red algae. The chloroplasts of glaucophytes are known as cyanelles. Unlike plastids in other organisms they have a peptidoglycan layer that is believed to be a relic of the endosymbiotic origin of plastids from cyanobacteria. Living specimen. Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) illumination. Magnification: 125 x at 35mm.