Ultrastructure of the Golgi Apparatus and Contractile Vacuole in Chlamydomonas reinhardi

Abstract

Cells of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardiobserved in successive stages of cytokinesis contain numerous dilated Golgi vesicles near the cleavage plane and the site of new cell membrane deposition. They are located near the basal body region, and in a perinuclear orientation, often in close association with enlarged nuclear pores. The Golgi components are permanent organelles during cytokinesis; their position and arrangement in the cytoplasm does not appear to be random. Their relationship to cleavage furrow orientation and formation is discussed.
The contractile vacuole of interphase cells is illustrated in micrographs and discussed with respect to diastole and systole. Based on ultrastructural observations and electron microscopic autoradiographs, a functional relationship between the Golgi apparatus the contractile vacuole and cell wall elements is proposed.