Charophytes

1. Topic outlines

2. Resemblance The green algae included in this division was once classified in chlorophyta as a class charophycea But now raised to the status of division the genera included in charyophytes are much different from the members of chlorophyta morphologically and in some other characteristics. The plant body is macroscopic and resembles those of Arthrophyta.

3. Occurrence of charophyta

4. The charyophytes are world wide in distribution and grow in muddy or sandy bottoms of clear lakes or ponds, or in limestone streams. Charyophytes are also called stoneworts and brittleworts because the plant surface is usually covered by a thick, brittle, limy crust of calcium carbonate.

5. Thallus organization

6. The cell are prokaryotic, long, uninucleate, contain discoid chloroplasts and are bounded by cellulosic cell wall. The protoplasm show a rapid streaming movement parallel to the long axis of the cell. A prominent large central vacuole occupies the centre of the internodal cells therefore cytoplasm is peripheral.

7. Reproduction Vegetative reproduction Sexual reproduction The asexual reproduction by spore formation is absent

8. Vegetative reproduction

9. These are star shaped aggregates of cell developed from the lower nodes. They are densely filled with starch These are bodies with food stored in them that develop upon rhizoids . The outgrowths that develop from the nodes

10. Sexual reproduction Sexual reproduction is strictly oogamous and the gametes are produced in specialized complex structure the globules (anthredium) and nucleus (oogonium)

11. Classification

12. Thanku