Chapter 21, Problem 1TC

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The formation of the filamentous appearance of the algae by the mutation in the algae that results in the missing of the protein.

Introduction:

The single-celled organisms divide mitotically and produce two daughter cells. The genetic content is divided followed by the division of cytoplasmic content and forming two cells. The mutations in the cells may result in the formation of multinucleate cells, no cell divisions, and many more.

Explanation of Solution

The single-celled algal species divide by the process of mitosis resulting in the production of two daughter algal cells. The filamentous appearance of the algal species indicates the singular cells connected to each other by their ends. The cell division takes place in two phases: karyokinesis and cytokinesis.

The karyokinesis completes normally, but due to the mutation in the algal cells that results in the loss of protein, the cells do not get separated. This occurs because the protein regulates the separation of the cells from their cell plates, forming the mass of un-separated cells. The attachment of individual cells in an “end-to-end” manner leads to the formation of the filamentous algal species.

Conclusion

The loss of protein that inhibits the separation of cell plates after the karyokinesis leads to the formation of attached cells, which further turns to be the formation of filamentous algal species.