THE CRYSTALLINE CELL WALL OF TETRASELMIS CONVOLUTAE (CHLOROPHYTA): A FREEZE FRACTURE ANALYSIS

Abstract

A freeze fracture analysis of the cell wall of Tetraselmis convolutae (Parke et Manton) revealed the existence of a crystalline median layer consisting of regular repeating subunits of 27 nm. These circular subunits lie in curved, interlocking, longitudinal rows with some irregular discontinuities appearing in the subunit pattern of the crystalline lattice. A comparison with the cell walls of other green algal flagellates is presented, revealing similarities and suggesting evolutionary patterns. Copyright © 1984, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved