| Chlamydomonadaceae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Electron microscope image of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Clade: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chlamydomonadales |
| Family: | Chlamydomonadaceae F.Stein |
Chlamydomonadaceae is a family of algae within the order Chlamydomonadales.[1] Traditionally, it has been defined as containing single-celled flagellates with a cell wall.[2]
Cells of the Chlamydomonadaceae are motile and have one, two, or four flagella. The cell body is covered in a cell wall, with the protoplast entirely or partially lined up next to the wall. Cells are uninucleate (i.e. with one nucleus). There is generally a single chloroplast, which is often cup-shaped or sometimes stellate or discoid; pyrenoids may be present or absent. Some species lack chlorophyll entirely and are saprotrophic.[3] Contractile vacuoles may or may not be present. There is usually a single eyespot.[2]
Asexual reproduction occurs when the cell protoplast divides to form two, four, or eight daughter cells, with cell walls forming while still in the parent cell wall. Before cell division, the flagella usually disappear. Daughter cells are typically liberated when the parent cell wall gelatinizes, or through a rupture in the parent cell wall. In some cases, cells may produce several generations before eventually developing flagella and escaping the parent cell wall. This stage, known as the palmella stage, have been reported in a number of genera.[3]
Sexual reproduction occurs in this family, and ranges from isogamy to anisogamy to oogamy.[2] Some species are homothallic, while others are heterothallic. Zygotes have thick walls, and they typically are inactive before germination.[3] Usually four or more zoospores germinate from each zygote.[2]
- ^ See the NCBI webpage on Chlamydomonadaceae. Data extracted from the "NCBI taxonomy resources". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
- ^ a b c d Iyengar, M. O. P.; Desikachary, T. V. (1981). Volvocales. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. p. 532.
- ^ a b c Smith, Gilbert M. (1950). The Fresh-water Algae of the United States (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Book Company.