What features does volvex have?

Answer 1

• The volvox grows well in eutrophic water bodies. Such eutrophic lakes that are rich in nutrients allow a prolific and healthy growth of volvox.

• Every single ovoid or spherical cell in the volvox colonies possess two flagella. A pair of contractile vacuoles along with single, cup-shaped chloroplasts are present at the base of these flagella.

• The cells of volvox can be single or biflagellate.

• Individual algal cells of volvox are attached with each other by means of cytoplasmic strands. These individual cells of algae are characterized by the presence of red eye spots on their surface.

• Flagellar movement of cells present in volvox colonies are used for swimming (rolling motion) and also in changing the direction.

• The muscilage produced by every individual cell in the colony can be distinct or inconspicuous.

• In a particular colony of volvox, cells at the anterior possess phototactic abilities; the phototactic abilities of these anterior cells are attributed to larger eyespots.

• Posterior cells of the volvox colonies are more into functions like reproduction.

• The volvox is a polyphyletic organism; which means that it has multiple ancestral lineages. Different species of volvox have evolved basically from ancestral lineages that are four in number.

• The size of volvox colonies ranges from 100-6000 microns.

• Most of the volvox species are microscopic organisms and therefore, we cannot see them with naked eyes. However, few colonies are as big as 1 mm in diameter.

• In the different stages of development of volvox, one can get to see their daughter cells and in few cases, even grand-daughter cells.

• One can find parasites feeding on cells of volvox in some colonies. A rotifer called Proales parasita thrives by feeding on cells of volvox.

10:24am. BY:CHASE GARRETT 5/14/12