Volvox africanus

Classification

Eukarya, Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae, Chlamydomonadales, Volvocaceae

Species

Volvox africanus

Description and Significance Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important

Volvox africanus are photosynthetic, multicellular eukaryotic microbes that live in clusters. A part of a freshwater, green algae genus. Volvox species exist as cell colonies within their own little bubble. They contain up to 6,000 cells within a gelatinous barrier. Large clusters can barely be spotted with the naked eye. First discovered by Anton von Leeuwenhook in the 1700s.

Genome Structure: Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence

This species has a haploid genome, with 141 mb. The genome contains about 101 genes coding for 37,566 proteins.

Cell Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle: Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces

Ecology and Pathogenesis: Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptom

Live in freshwaters sources, typically found in South Africa and other southern african countries.

Volvox species are non-pathogenic.

Authors:

This page is author by Hayden Hull, student of Professor Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.

Pages edited by students of Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington