After reading this article, you can operate on information about special forms of spores - zoospores. We will tell you why they are called that way, introduce some of their features, functions and the cause of their occurrence.
What is zoospore
Zoospore is a life cycle form of a large number of algae and a small part of lower fungi. Otherwise, zoospores are called in some cases vagabonds, and in others - zoogonidia. This type of spore is able to move, which is why it actually got its name.
Zoospore is a series of protists, one of their life forms that can cover a certain distance in liquids. The process of movement occurs due to the beating of one or more flagella.
At this stage of development, numerous types of algae have stigma (intracellular organoid), chromatophore (cells that carry pigments and are able to reflect light) and contractile vacuoles (organoids responsible for removing excess fluid from the cytoplasm). Yellow-green algae species at the zoospore stage are capable of carrying a large number of nuclei.
Reproduction and the process of occurrence
Reproduction by zoospores, as mentioned above, is characteristic of representatives of algae and many lower fungi. Mitotic and meiotic division of zoosporangia (special cells) are the ways in which zoospores occur. And zoospore is a stage of resettlement.
After a certain period of time, its cell begins to lose the flagellum and, after this process is completed, it will begin to produce a more densified cell wall, after which the division process will begin and, as a result, fungal mycelium or thawed algae will form.
Having become acquainted with the material of the article, we can summarize that zoospore is at the same time:
- part of the life cycle of many representatives of the kingdom of mushrooms and algae;
- the method of settlement in the territory in liquids;
- future adult organism of the plant or mushroom world.