Conjugation is separate from reproduction, which generally occurs by binary fission.
Slide 19
Paramecium
Contractile vacuole
Oral groove
Cell mouth
Cilia
Micronucleus
Macronucleus
Food vacuoles
(a) Feeding, waste removal, and water balance
50 µm
MEIOSIS
Compatible mates
Diploid micronucleus
Haploid micronucleus
The original macronucleus disintegrates.
Diploid micronucleus
MICRONUCLEAR FUSION
(b) Conjugation and reproduction
Key
ConjugationReproduction
Slide 20
Diatoms
Diatoms are unicellular algae with a unique two-part, glass-like wall of hydrated silica.
Diatoms usually reproduce asexually, and occasionally sexually.
Diatoms are a major component of phytoplankton and are highly diverse.
Fossilized diatom walls compose much of the sediments known as diatomaceous earth.
Slide 21
Freshwater Diatom with glass-like wall of silica
3 µm
Slide 22
Golden Algae
Golden algae are named for their color, which results from yellow and brown carotenoids.
The cells of golden algae are typically biflagellated, with both flagella near one end.
All golden algae are photosynthetic, and some are also heterotrophic.
Most are unicellular, but some are colonial.
Slide 23
Colonial Golden Algae
25 µm
Outer container
Flagellum
Living cell
Slide 24
Brown Algae
Brown algae are the largest and most complex algae. All are multicellular, and most are marine.
Brown algae include many species commonly called “seaweeds.” Giant seaweeds called kelps live in deep parts of the ocean.
Brown algae have the most complex multicellular anatomy of all algae.
The algal body is plantlike but lacks true roots, stems, and leaves and is called a thallus.
The rootlike holdfast anchors the stemlike stipe, which in turn supports the leaflike blades.
Slide 25
Brown Algae
Blade
Stipe
Holdfast
Slide 26
Alternation of Generations
A variety of life cycles have evolved among the multicellular algae.
The most complex life cycles include an alternation of generations, the alternation of multicellular haploid (gametophyte) and diploid forms (sporophyte).
Heteromorphic generations are structurally different.