How does the Volvox reproduce?
During all active phases, Volvox (like other green algae) is haploid and reproduces asexually. In V. carteri, an asexual cycle begins when each mature gonidium initiates a rapid series of cleavage divisions, certain of which are visibly asymmetric and produce large gonidial initials and small somatic initials.
What is the life cycle of Volvox?
Volvox is haploid (n) algae, the haploid gametes fertilize to make diploid zygote (2n) which divides by meiosis to make haploid cells (n) which mature into haploid Volvox colony (Fig. 7, 8).
Is Volvox is Isogamous?
Volvox and other large colonials (Pleodorina, Eudorina) transitioned from an isogamous ancestral mating system to an anisogamous or oogamous one with eggs and sperm.
What is unique about Volvox?
It exists as a grand spherical colony. Each little alga within the colony bears two flagella, whip-like hairs. This helps the colony to swim towards the light. This differentiation of cells make Volvox quite unique.
How is Volvox different from other protists?
Volvox are protists that live in colonies, or groups of organisms living together. They also have tails, or flagella, they use to move the colony. They can reproduce asexually and create offspring identical to the parent, or they can reproduce sexually, creating genetically different offspring.
Does Volvox have both gametophyte and sporophyte stages?
They escape into the water and germinate by mitosis to form the haploid thallus or Ulva called the gametophyte. Evolutionary Trend: This life cycle is different from Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Spirogyra, and Oedogonium because of its dominant adult in both the sporophyte and gametophyte generations.
Does Volvox show Anisogamy?
The sexual reproduction in volvox is an oogamous type. Thus, two morphologically dissimilar gametes are produced. Therefore the correct answer is spirogyra. Note: The sexual reproduction in algae is known to be of three types: isogamous, anisogamous and oogamous.
What characteristics do Volvox have in common with other protists?
Volvox are protists that live in colonies, or groups of organisms living together. They are both autotrophs and heterotrophs. They use their eyespot to detect light when they undergo photosynthesis. They also have tails, or flagella, they use to move the colony.
Why Volvox is different from other green algae?
Volvox, genus of some 20 species of freshwater green algae (division Chlorophyta) found worldwide. Volvox also exhibit differentiation between somatic (non-sex cells) and reproductive cells, a phenomenon considered by some biologists to be significant in tracing the evolution of higher animals from microorganisms.
Is Volvox a protozoa?
Volvox is a colonial organism, a semi-transparent hollow sphere about the size of a pinhead, made up of 500 to 60,000 bi-flagellated cells embedded in a gelatinous wall. The largest colonies exceed one millimeter in diameter and are easily visible to the naked eye.