Nov 2, 2016

Sexual Reproduction in Volvox carteri

Volvox carteri is a species of colonial green algae that exhibits a unique form of sexual reproduction called oogamy. Oogamy is a type of anisogamy, where the gametes (reproductive cells) produced by the species are of two different sizes and types, known as male and female gametes or sperm and eggs, respectively.

In Volvox carteri, the reproductive colonies are typically composed of many cells arranged in a hollow sphere, with individual cells called "somatic cells" forming the outer layer of the colony and a smaller number of specialized cells called "gonidia" located in the interior. Gonidia are the reproductive cells of Volvox carteri and are responsible for sexual reproduction.

The sexual reproduction in Volvox carteri begins when the gonidia undergo a process called "gonidial cleavage," during which they divide repeatedly to produce small, motile cells called "sperm packets." These sperm packets are released from the gonidia and swim freely in the water, seeking female colonies to fertilize.

The female colonies of Volvox carteri, also composed of somatic cells and gonidia, are larger and more stationary compared to the smaller, motile male colonies. When a sperm packet encounters a female colony, it releases individual sperm cells, which then penetrate the female colony and fertilize the eggs produced by the gonidia. Fertilized eggs develop into new colonies, which are released into the environment to repeat the reproductive cycle.

 



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