Into another dimension: how streptophyte algae gained morphological complexity

Land plants with elaborated three-dimensional (3D) body plans have evolved from streptophyte algae. The streptophyte algae are known to exhibit varying degrees of morphological complexity, ranging from single-celled flagellates to branched macrophytic forms exhibiting tissue-like organization. In this review, I discuss mechanisms by which, during evolution, filamentous algae may have gained 2D and eventually 3D body plans. There are, in principle, two mechanisms by which an additional dimension may be added to an existing algal filament or cell layer: first, by tip growth-mediated branching. An example of this mechanism is the emergence and polar expansion of root hairs from land plants. The second possibility is the rotation of the cell division plane. In this case, the plane of the forthcoming cell division is rotated within the parental cell wall. This type of mechanism corresponds to the formative cell division seen in meristems of land plants. This literature review shows that of the extant streptophyte algae, the Charophyceae and Coleochaetophyceae are capable of performing both mechanisms, while the Zygnematophyceae (the actual sister to land plants) show tip growth-based branching only. I finally discuss how apical cells with two or three cutting faces, as found in mosses, may have evolved from algal ancestors.

Fine Structure and Function of the Cytopharyngeal Basket in the Ciliate Nassula

The fine structure of the cytopharyngeal basket is described in detail. A circular palisade of cytopharyngeal rods is encircled at certain levels by a sheath and two annuli; crest-shaped structures project outwards from the basket. The rods, crests and sheath are largely composed of cytoplasmic microtubules of approximate diameter 240 Å. One of the annuli is mostly composed of densely staining inter-tubular material; the other consists mainly of fine fibres ranging in diameter from 40 to 90 Å. Ingestion of algal filaments by Nassula and the sequence of movements of the rods which occurs during feeding are described. Evidence is presented which indicates that the crests and fibrous annulus both contract during feeding and act antagonistically to displace the apparently rigid rods. The initial displacement of the rods is spatially related to the orientation of the algal filament which is to be ingested. It is suggested that certain cilia respond to contact with the filament by transmitting some form of excitation to some of the crests along small bundles of microtubules which interconnect them. The suction force drawing the filament into the organism apparently acts only in the lumen of the basket. The basket seems to function as a fairly rigid structure which, acting in conjunction with the suction force, guides the filament into the organism and manipulates it to some extent. The basket also apparently grips the partly ingested filament to prevent it from slipping out of the organism during pauses in the action of the suction force.