Question

Which of the following algae have a cup shaped chloroplast?

• A. Spirogyra
• B. Volvox
• C. Chlamydomonas
• D. Chlorella

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Chlamydomonas is the name given to a genus of microscopic, unicellular green plants (algae) which live in fresh water. A single, cup-shaped chloroplast occupies the greater part of the cell. In this chloroplast is a protein region called a pyrenoid, which is involved in starch production and is often surrounded by starch granules.

Prominent cup or bowl shaped chloroplast is present. The chloroplast contains bands composed of a variable number of the photosynthetic thylakoids which are not organised into grana-like structures. The nucleus is enclosed in a cup-shaped chloroplast, which has a single large pyrenoid where starch is formed from photosynthetic products. Pyrenoid with starch sheath is present in the posterior end of the chloroplast.