Multicellularity and increasing Reynolds number impact on the evolutionary shift in flash-induced ciliary response in Volvocales.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Volvocales in green algae have evolved by multicellularity of Chlamydomonas-like unicellular ancestor. Those with various cell numbers exist, such as unicellular Chlamydomonas, four-celled Tetrabaena, and Volvox species with different cell numbers (~1,000, ~5,000, and ~10,000). Each cell of these organisms shares two cilia and an eyespot, which are used for swimming and photosensing. They are all freshwater microalgae but inhabit different fluid environments: unicellular species live in low Reynolds-number (Re) environments where viscous forces dominate, whereas multicellular species live in relatively higher Re where inertial forces become non-negligible. Despite significant changes in the physical environment, during the evolution of multicellularity, they maintained p

SUBMITTER: Ueki N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11401373 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature