LIFE CYCLES OF ALGAE


FE Fritsch (1935) has recognized five main types of life cycles in algae, such as –
1. Haplontic:- In this type the main vegetative body is haploid (n), i.e., gametophytic in nature and bears haploid gametes. The gemetes unite through syngamy and results in the formation of diploid zygote (2n). Next the zygote undergoes meiosis immediately after a period of rest and forms haploid spores. These spores ultimately germinate into haploid gametophytic plant. Example – Oedogonium, Spirogyra, Ulothrix, Chlamydomonas, etc.
2. Diplontic:- In this type the plant body is diploid (2n), i.e., the sporophytic in nature and bears diploid gametangia. Meiosis takes place at the time of formation of gametes (n). Fusion of these haploid take place very soon which result in the formation of diploid zygote, which develops into diploid sporophytic generation again. Example – Fucus, Sargassum, Diatoms, etc.
3. Diplohaplontic:- In this type of life cycle two distinct individuals are present – one haploid (n) i.e., the gametophyte and  the other diploid (2n) i.e., the sporophyte. In this type both the generations alternate with each other showing distinct alternation of generations among plants.
Isomorphic Diplohaplontic life cycle – Here both the diploid and haploid individuals (vegetative plants) are morphologically similar i.e., isomorphic. They come alternately in the life-cycle and that type of life cycle is called, isomorphic diplohaplontic life cycle. The gemetophytic plant (n) bears haploid sex organs from which haploid gametes are formed. Gametes fuse to form diploid zygote (2n) which directly develops into diploid sporophytic plant (2n). The sporophytic plant bears sporangia from which haploid spores are developed by meiotic division. The haploid spores on germination produce haploid gametophytic plant body again. Example – Cutleria.
Heteromorphic Diplohaplontic life cycle – Here both the diploid and haploid individuals (vegetative plants) are morphologically dissimilar i.e., heteromorphic. They come alternately in the life-cycle and that type of life cycle is called, heteromorphic diplohaplontic life cycle. The sporophytic plant is large and it bears sporangia, within which haploid spores (n) are developed by meiotic division. Such spores on germination produce haploid gametophytic plant (n). Haploid gametophytic plant bears gametangia  from which haploid gametes are produced. Gametes on fertilization form diploid zygote (2n), which directly germinates to produce diploid sporophytic plant body. Example – Laminaria.
4. Haplobiontic:- In this type of life cycle two haploid phases are present. One is represented by gametophytic plant including gametangia and gametes (n) and the other is represented by gonioblast filament, carposporangia (n), carpospores (n) and Chantrantia stage. Here the diploid (2n) stage is restricted in the zygote only. This type is found in Bactrachospermum, Nemalion, etc.
            5. Haplodiplobiontic:- This type of life cycle is found in Polysiphonia. Here the haploid (n) phase is represented by male and female gametophytic plants, sex organs and gametes (n). The diploid phases are two – first diploid phase (n) is represented by zygote, gonioblast filaments, carpogonia  and carpospores (2n). All structures of the first diploid phase are together known as carposporophyte (2n) which depends on gametophyte. The second diploid phase is represented by tetrasporophyte plant bearing tetrasporangia (2n). Due to the presence of one haploid and two diploid phases, this type is known as haplodiplobiontic. Here the life cycle is triphase.

Prema Iswary,               
Assistant Professor,     
Department of Botany.
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