'' Chlamydomonas moewusii'' is a species of

unicellular A unicellular organism, also known as a single-celled organism, is an organism that consists of a single cell, unlike a multicellular organism that consists of multiple cells. Organisms fall into two general categories: prokaryotic organisms and ...

green

alga Algae ( , ; : alga ) is an informal term for any organisms of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms that are not plants, and includes species from multiple distinct clades. Such organisms range from unicellular microalgae, suc ...

belonging to the genus ''

Chlamydomonas ''Chlamydomonas'' ( ) is a genus of green algae consisting of about 150 species of unicellular organism, unicellular flagellates, found in stagnant water and on damp soil, in freshwater, seawater, and even in snow as "snow algae". ''Chlamydom ...

''. ''C. moewusii'' is typically a freshwater species and occupies a significant position as a

model organism A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the model organism will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Mo ...

for various scientific studies due to its relatively simple cellular structure and ease of cultivation.

Taxonomy

'' Chlamydomonas moewusii'' was first published by Gerloff in 1940. In his research, Gerloff examined cultures of '' Chlamydomonas eugametos'' sourced from the Berlin Institute of Plant Physiology. His findings contradicted the description provided by Moewus(1933), indicating the presence of a papilla and a significantly thinner membrane than previously described and illustrated by Moewus.

Distribution

''Chlamydomonas moewusii'' is commonly found in freshwater and soil environments worldwide.

Morphology

''Chlamydomonas moewusii'' is a unicellular organism with a characteristic chloroplast-containing cell. Individual cells are typically small, around 20 micrometers in diameter, and have a spherical to ovoid shape. ''Chlamydomonas moewusii'' possesses two flagella, which it uses for locomotion and orientation in its aquatic environment. As in other ''

'' species, reproduction in ''C. moewusii'' occurs both asexually through cell division and sexually through the formation of gametes.

Reproduction

''Chlamydomonas moewusii is'' a

heterothallic Heterothallic species have sexes that reside in different individuals. The term is applied particularly to distinguish heterothallic fungi, which require two compatible partners to produce sexual spores, from homothallic ones, which are capable ...

species, exhibiting distinct behavioral differences between the gametes of its two mating types. When suspensions containing 'plus' and 'minus' gametes are mixed under light, they form clumps that eventually separate into pairs after a few minutes. These pairs then swim freely for 4–8 hours. Throughout this motile phase, there is no fusion of nuclei or cytoplasm between the cells; instead, they remain connected at their anterior ends by a short protoplasmic bridge, moving consistently in one direction. Despite both gametes retaining their flagella, only one flagellum is actively involved in propulsion. This activity is observable under favorable lighting conditions: one cell's flagellum actively beats while the other's trails behind, occasionally twitching.

Motion

''Chlamydomonas moewusii'' exhibits a unique type of motion propelled by its two flagella. This motility is essential for various biological processes, including navigation towards light sources for photosynthesis, finding optimal environmental conditions, and locating nutrients.The motion of ''C. moewusii'' is primarily characterized by a type of swimming known as "flagellar beating." Each cell possesses two flagella of unequal length: a longer anterior flagellum and a shorter posterior flagellum. These flagella beat in a coordinated fashion, generating propulsion for the cell through the surrounding medium, typically water.

References

External link

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q69631200 Chlamydomonadaceae Plants described in 1940 Chlorophyta species Model organisms Freshwater algae