Original paper
The ellipsoidal algal cell
Pentecost, Allan
Algological Studies Volume 155 (2019), p. 41 - 55
30 references
published: Sep 3, 2019
manuscript accepted: Apr 25, 2019
manuscript revision received: Apr 15, 2019
manuscript revision requested: Jan 31, 2017
manuscript received: Dec 20, 2016
DOI: 10.1127/algol_stud/2019/0283
ArtNo. ESP221015500003, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
‘Ellipsoidal’ somatic cells of five species of green algae and one cyanobacterium plus the spores of five further species of green algae were examined to determine how closely they approached the true ellipsoidal form. Of these, cells of Oocystis marssonii and spores of Spirogyra clavata, S. communis and especially Zygnema margalefianum most closely approximated the form. The ellipsoidal form may develop via the processes of differential growth employing the cytoskeletal framework or the result of circumferential stress on an expanding spherical cell within a rigid cylindrical envelope. This study suggested the former process was more significant in Oocystis and the latter process in the spores of Spirogyra and Zygnema. The ellipsoidal form per se offers no obvious advantage over approximations to that form, but ellipsoids, or near-ellipsoids may offer advantages in some environments over spherical cells of the same volume in terms of light capture and nutrient uptake. Cell polarity was indicated in two species of Chlamydomonas through examination of polar radii of curvature.
Keywords
morphology • cell wall • zygospore • Chlorophyta • Cyanobacteria • curvature • polarity • turgor