Green algae include both unicellular and multicellular organisms. Larger size and greater complexity evolved in green algae by three different mechanisms. Briefly describe the three mechanisms and indicate which mechanism(s) produce true multicellularity
The larger size and greater complexity evolved in green algae by the following three different mechanisms:
1. Colony formation: Some green algae like Volvox gained the ability to form colonies from single cells.
2. Division of nucleus without cytoplasmic division: In this type of evolution, green algae like Caulerpa gained the ability to form larger cells by dividing nucleus without dividing the cytoplasm.
3. Cellular differentiation and repetitive division: This complex evolution led to the formation of true multicellular bodies. Example: Ulva
True multicellularity is produced by cellular differentiation and repetitive division.
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