Beitrag

The ellipsoidal algal cell

Pentecost, Allan

Bild der ersten Seite der Arbeit:

Algological Studies Volume 155 (2019), p. 41 - 55

30 Literaturangaben

veröffentlicht: Sep 3, 2019
Manuskript akzeptiert: Apr 25, 2019
Manuskript-Revision erhalten: Apr 15, 2019
Manuskript-Revision angefordert: Jan 31, 2017
Manuskript erhalten: Dec 20, 2016

DOI: 10.1127/algol_stud/2019/0283

BibTeX Datei

ArtNo. ESP221015500003, Preis: 29.00 €

Vorschau PDF herunterladen Als PDF kaufen

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.

Schlagworte

morphology • cell wall • zygospore • Chlorophyta • Cyanobacteria • curvature • polarity • turgor