Lateral Conjugation in Spirogyra

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the mechanisms, structures, and species associated with both indirect and direct lateral conjugation in Spirogyra.

Lateral conjugation

A process occurring in homothallic or monoecious species where a single filament is involved and adjacent cells function as male and female gametangia.

Homothallic

A term for species, also known as monoecious, in which lateral conjugation takes place within a single filament.

Gametangia

Adjacent cells of the same filament that function as male and female during the conjugation period.

Zygospore

The diploid fusion product formed by the male and female gametes.

Indirect lateral conjugation

A type of lateral conjugation where papillae form on the longitudinal walls and dissolve to create a lateral conjugation tube between adjacent cells.

Papillae

Growths produced on the longitudinal wall on either side of the septum that eventually form the conjugation tube.

Lateral conjugation tube

A passage formed when the common wall between two papillae dissolves, allowing male content to enter the female gametangium.

S. tenuissima and S. affinis

Species of Spirogyra where zygospores and empty cells are present alternately in the filaments following indirect lateral conjugation.

Direct lateral conjugation

A process seen in Spirogyra jogensis where a male gamete creates a pore in the septum to reach the female cell without a conjugation tube.

Spirogyra jogensis

A species that sexually reproduces specifically by direct lateral conjugation.

Hapteroid

The basal cell of a filament, immediately next to which direct lateral conjugation occurs in certain species.

Pointed boring organ

A structure developed by the male gamete to mechanically or enzymatically create a pore in the middle of the septum during direct lateral conjugation.

Barrel shaped female gamete

The enlarged state of the lower cell among two adjacent cells during the process of direct lateral conjugation.