vegetative

Description:

Detail of vegetative cell of Oedogonium. This aquatic genus includes approximately 400 species. Oedogonium, composed of uninucleate cells, is unbranched. Cell division is intercalary or at the distal terminus and results in formation a series of transverse annulae or caps at the distal end of cells after multiple divisions (seen in this image). Division of the basal cell does not occur. The reticulate chloroplast is peripheral, surrounding the cytoplasm. There are multiple pyrenoids (proteinaceous centers of starch production) associated with each chloroplast. The large nucleus is peripheral, usually at mid-cell. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho in October 2003. DIC optics.