SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN ALGAE

All algae except the members of the class Cyanophyceae reproduce sexually. During sexual
reproduction, gametes fuse to form a zygote (Fig. 3.18). The new genetic setup can develop by the
fusion of gametes coming from different parents.
Depending on the structure, physiological behavior, and complexity of sex organs, sexual
reproductions are of the following five types:

a. Autogamy:
In this process, the fusing gametes are developed from the same mother cell and after fusion, they
form the zygote. For the above, plant developed through autogamy does not show the introduction
of any new characteristic, e.g., Diatom (Amphora normani).

b. Hologamy:
In some unicellular members, the vegetative cells of different strains (+ and -) behave as gametes
and after fusion, they form zygotes. It is an inefficient process considering the point of
multiplication, but new genetic combinations are developed by this process, e.g., Chlamydomonas.

c. Isogamy:
It is the process of union, between two gametes that are morphologically and physiologically
similar after fusion they form a zygote. The gametes are called isogametes. Usually, they are
flagellate, e.g., Chlamydomonas eugametos, Ulothrix, etc.

d. Anisogamy:
In this process, the uniting gametes are morphologically and physiologically different. The smaller
and more active one is the microgamete (male), whereas the larger and less active one is the
macrogamete (female), e.g., Chlamydomonas braunii.
Deviating from the typical anisogamy, when the uniting gametes show morphological
similarity with a physiological difference, it is called physiological anisogamy. e.g., Zygnema,
Spirogyra etc.
e. Oogamy:
It is an advanced process where fertilization takes place between a small motile male gamete
(sperm or antherozoids) with a large non-motile female gamete (egg or ovum). Male gametes
develop within antheridium, whereas the female gamete within the oogonium, e.g., Oedogonium,
Vaucheria, Chara, Laminaria, Sargassum, Polysiphonia, Batrachospermum, etc.

1. Haplontic Life Cycle:

The plant body is gametophyte (haploid) and the sporophyte (diploid) stage is represented only by
a zygote. The gametophytic plant develops haploid gametes in the gametangium. The fusion
between gametes results in the formation of a zygote, the only diploid stage i.e., the sporophytic
phase of the life cycle. The zygote undergoes meiotic division and forms four meiospores. These
meiospores develop into haploid plants. The alternation of generations can be interpreted by
chromosome number.
This life cycle is also known as the monogenic life cycle. This type of life cycle is found in the
majority of Chlorophyceae like Chlamydomonas, Ulothrix, Oedogonium, Spirogyra, Chara, etc.,
and all members of Xanthophyceae.

2. Diplontic Life Cycle:

The plant body is sporophyte and develops sex organs. Sex organs produce gametes by meiosis.
The gamete only represents the gametophytic stage. The gametes undergo fertilization
immediately and form a zygote. The zygote does not undergo meiosis and gives rise to a new
sporophytic plant body.
This type of life cycle is found in the majority of the members of Bacillariophyceae, some members
of Chlorophyceae like Cladophora glomerata. Fucus and Sargassum of Phaeophyceae also show
this type of life cycle.

3. Diplohaplontic Life Cycle:

In this type, the haploid and diploid phases are equally prominent and are represented by two
distinct vegetative individuals. They differ only in chromosome number and function. The haploid
gametophytic plant reproduces by sexual method, while the diploid sporophytic plant by the
asexual process. In this life cycle alternation of two vegetative individuals occurs by sporogenic
meiosis and fusion of gametes.