Conjugation in Zygnemataceae: Mougeotia
Progressive development of geniculations ('knee bends') associated with lateral conjugation: this may be Mougeotia geniculata. The cell diameter is 32µm.
d
e b
a c f
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These two pictures show the short rhizoid-like branches which grow out from one filament to make contact with another (not always successfully):
g
h
Sometimes the
side braches reach several cells in length
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Cell contents change their appearance: the chloroplast contracts and becomes more dense, contracting away from the other organelles
A general view of the filaments: