Hexavalent chromium induces gametogenesis in the freshwater alga Scenedesmus acutus.
The aggregates formed by Scenedesmus acutus cultivated in the presence of 1 mg/liter Cr(VI) persist even after 7 days of treatment. They were examined by fluorescence and electron microscopy and were found to be an early stage of sexual reproduction. They consist of four small cells deprived of a true cell wall and enclosed in a common envelope. When the envelope breaks up they are released in the culture medium as biflagellated mobile cells. These cells have been identified as gametes.
Corradi
M G
MG
Department of Evolutive Biology, University of Parma, Italy.
Gorbi
G
G
Bassi
M
M
D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D005718:Gametogenesis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
D002857:Chromium