About Unicellular level Chlamydomonas

UNICELLULAR LEVEL CHLAMYDOMONAS

                Ponds and lakes become greenish, within a few days after the rain. The primary reason for this is the multiplication of reproductive cells of algae which have abundant chlorophyll. They have thalloid plant body and belong to the division Thallophyta.

           The plant body which is not differentiated into root, stem and leaves is known as thallus. The most important form which provides green turbidity to ponds and lakes is an unicellular green alga namely Chlamydomonas. Though unicellular, Chlamydomonas is able to carry out all functions as in multicellular organisms. This is significant in the level of organization of living system. 

       Chlamydomonas is a Greek word which means single organism with a thick mantle. 

Systematic position 

CLASS          : CHLOROPHYCEAE     

ORDER         : VOLVOCALES 

FAMILY        : CHLAMYDOMONADACEAE

GENUS         : CHLAMYDOMONAS

Habitat: Chlamydomonas is a motile, fresh water alga. It prefers water rich in nitrogenous matter. In India, the genus includes 18 species.

Structure of the cell: Chlamydomonas is an unicellular, biflagellate alga. The cell is spherical or ellipsoidal. The anterior end of the cell is papillate and the posterior part is usually broader. Cell wall is made up of cellulose. Inner to cell wall is a thin selectively permeable plasma membrane. there is a massive cup-shaped parietal chloroplast at the broader part. Many pigments including chlorophyll is found in it. The chloroplast has a single pyrenoid which functions as the centre of starch synthesis. Starch is stored as granules around the pyrenoid.

              The nucleus lies in the centre of the cytoplasm. Two flagella are found in the anterior part of the cell which are locomotory organs. Chlamydomonas swims with the help of these flagella. The eyespot or stigma lies in the anterior part of the cell. It is the photoreceptor organ and helps in the direction of cell movement.