Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Ultrasonography in Experimental Reproductive Investigations on Rats
Published on: December 2, 2017
The genus Closterium, a new model organism to study sexual reproduction in streptophytes
Yuki Tsuchikane1, Hiroyuki Sekimoto1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8681, Japan.
Abstract:
Contents Summary 99 I. Introduction 99 II. Life cycle of Closterium 100 III. Sexual reproductive processes in the heterothallic Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale complex 101 IV. Homothallism in the C. psl. complex 102 V. Sexual reproduction and inheritance of mating types in Closterium ehrenbergii 102 VI. mt-determining gene of the C. psl. complex 103 VII. Future perspectives 103 Acknowledgements 103 References 103 SUMMARY: Closterium occupies a key phylogenetic position as an ancestor of land plants and is the best-characterized Charophycean alga in terms of the process of sexual reproduction. Zygospores form as a result of sexual reproduction between genetically determined mating type plus (mt+ ) and mating type minus (mt- ) cells in heterothallic strains, or between clonal cells in homothallic strains. Here we review knowledge on the intercellular communication and mating type determination for successful sexual reproduction in Closterium. Using genomic information and transgenic techniques, the genus could be a model organism to study the mechanisms and evolution of sexual reproduction in streptophytes.
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
Reproductive Cloning
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic...
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Asexual Reproduction

