Wikipedia
Akinete
An akinete is a thick-walled dormant cell derived from the enlargement of a vegetative cell. It serves as a survival structure. It is a resting cell of cyanobacteria and unicellular and filamentous green algae. Under magnification, akinetes appear thick walled with granular-looking cytoplasms.
Development of akinetes from a vegetative cell involves:
- increase in size
- gradual disappearance of gas vacuoles
- increase in cytoplasmic density, number of ribosomes & cyanophycin granules
The akinetes are filled with food reserves, and have a normal cell wall surrounded with 3 layer coat.