VOLVOX
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLVOX
Sub-division :- Algae
Class :- Chlorophyceae
Order :- Volvocales
Family :- Volvocaceae
Genus :- Volvox

GENERAL CHARATERSTICS OF VOLVOX :-
- Thallus is multicellular, motile and a coenobial colony.
- Colonies are mostly spherical, rounded or oval in shape.
- It is hollow in the centre and cells are arranged in a single layer towards the periphery.
- Layer of cells is surrounded by a gelatinous mass which forms the outer and firm limiting layer.
- The number of cells in a colony varies from 500-6,500 according to the species.
- Each cell of the colony is connected with a few of the neighbouring cells by thin and delicate cytoplasmic strands.
- Each cell is enveloped by an individual gelatinous sheath.
- All the cells of a colony are typically chlamydomonad in shape, size and structure.
- Each vegetative cell is biflagellate, motile and ovoid. The two flagella are anteriorly inserted. A contractile vacuole is situated one each at the base of a flagellum.
- Cup-shaped chloroplast occupies much of the posterior part in which is situated a single pyrenoid. In the cavity formed by cup-shaped chloroplast lies a single nucleus, surrounded by cytoplasm.
- Cytoplasm is rich in volutin grains. Eyespot or stigma occupies anterio-Iateral position.

IDENTIFICATION
- Sub-division– Algae
- Presence of a simple thallus.
- Chlorophyll present
- Cell wall made of cellulose.
- Class – Chlorophyceae
- Presence of a definite nucleus
- Chloroplast present. grass green colour
- Presence of starch
- Reproductive structure motile and flagella equal in length.
- Order – Volvocales
- Vegetative cells flagellated
- Thallus motile.
- Family – Volvocaceae
- Thallus colonial
- Division of cells in longitudinal plane.
- Genus – Volvox
- Colony spherical or sub-spherical,
- Number of cells at least 500.

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