Observations on the fine structure of spermatozoids and vegetative cells of the green alga Golenkinia
Title:
Observations on the fine structure of spermatozoids and vegetative cells of the green alga Golenkinia
Author:
Moestrup, Øjvind
Appeared in:
European journal of phycology
Paging:
Volume 7 (1972) nr. 2 pages 169-183
Year:
1972-07-15
Contents:
Spermatozoids and vegetative cells of the green alga Golenkinia minutissima Iyengar et Balakrishnan have been examined by light and electron microscopy. The biflagellate spermatozoids are of a somewhat specialised type, elongated with the nucleus attached to the flagellar bases, and containing a reduced chloroplast without pyrenoid or eyespot. The flagellar apparatus and root system has been examined in detail and is compared with that found in other green algae. The flagella are of a previously unknown type; they contain only one central microtubule—possibly non-functional—but they move in an apparently normal way. Present knowledge about flagellar roots in green algae has been assembled in a table, showing that the cruciate root has now been found in 10 genera, belonging to almost as many families. Exceptions are Oedogonium, which contains a modification of this type, and the Charales, which are very different. During spermatogenesis in Golenkinia each spermatozoid is surrounded by a wall which disappears at maturity. This fact may prove to be of taxonomic value. The spines on the vegetative cells are composed of regularly arranged longitudinal fibrils, possibly cellulose, attached to the inner part of the two-layered cell wall. The content of the vegetative cell is typically chlorococcalean.