I. Diagnostic Characters of the Green Algae.
How many are there? about 500 genera with 8000 species. | |||||||||
How old are they? 400 to 500 million years old with some at 600 myo. | |||||||||
Where are green algae found?
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How are their cells organized? One to multinucleate organization. | |||||||||
What pigments do they possess?
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How is the chloroplast constructed?
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What storage product is made? Starch | |||||||||
Cell wall features?
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Cell and thallus complexity?
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II. Simplest cell construction.
III. Developmental lineages and comparative life history strategies.
Single cells to multiple cells with increasing complexity (Order Volvocales) with primitive life history.
Chlamydomonas | |
Pandorina | |
Gonium | |
Eudorina | |
Volvox |
All of these genera reproduce via the Zygotic Meiosis Life History
Increasingly complex multicell thalli and modified morpology of gamete but with primitive life history (Order Coleochaetales).
Coleochaete |
Increasingly complex adult morphologies and intermediate life history (Order Ulvales).
Ulva | |
Enteromorpha |
These genera reproduce via the Sporic Meiosis Life History.
Most complex adult morphology and most advanced life history (Order Bryopsidales).
Codium | |
Halimeda |
These genera reproduce via the Gametic Meiosis Life History.
IV. Recap major themes.
Increasing complexity shown in adult morphologies and life history strategies.
Gamete type is extremely conservative character. Is it the only very conservative character?
V.
Overview of Green algae from UC Berkeley
Overview of California green algae @ Sonoma State Univ
Coleochaete site, UC Berkeley
This page is maintained by Celia Smith and intended for use by undergraduates and graduates, Botany Dept, Univ Hawai'i at Manoa.