Chara, Diagram, Structure, Characteristics, Reproduction and Life Cycle

Chara: Chara is a green algae from the Characeae family. These algae are multicellular, with stems and leaves similar to those found in land plants. They are commonly found in freshwater, particularly in limestone-rich areas of the northern temperate zone, where they live submerged and attached to the muddy bottom. Chara algae thrive in environments with low oxygen levels and hard water, and they are typically absent in water bodies containing mosquito larvae.

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What is Chara?

• PROKARYOTIC CELLS
• Pre Fertilisation: Structures and Events

Chara Diagram

Chara Structure

EUKARYOTIC CELLS

• Primary laterals : These are short branches with limited growth that emerge in circular patterns from the nodes of the main axis.
• Secondary laterals: These are long branches with unrestricted growth that also arise from the nodes of the main axis. They possess whorls of primary laterals at their nodes.

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Chara Classification

Connective Tissue

Chara Characteristics

1. Appearance: Chara is a multicellular green alga that resembles a plant, featuring a stem-like main axis with whorls of branchlets at regular intervals.
2. Structure: The main axis of Chara, known as the primary axis, is cylindrical and can grow several centimetres long. It is covered with nodes and internodes.
3. Nodes: Nodes are points on the main axis where whorls of branchlets arise, also serving as reproduction sites in Chara.
4. Internodes: These are the regions between two nodes, elongated to provide structural support to the organism.
5. Branchlets: Small, leaf-like structures that arise from nodes and are arranged in whorls around the main axis.
6. Reproduction: Chara reproduces both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation, where a part of the plant breaks off to form a new plant. Sexual reproduction involves the production of male and female gametes, which fuse to form a zygote.
7. Habitat: Chara is commonly found in freshwater environments like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, preferring alkaline or slightly basic water conditions.
8. Ecological Importance: Chara is crucial in freshwater ecosystems, providing habitat and food for various aquatic organisms and helping maintain water quality by absorbing nutrients and oxygenating the water.
9. Taxonomy: Chara belongs to the Charophyta division of green algae, which is closely related to land plants and shares characteristics such as cellulose cell walls and similar reproductive structures.
10. Uses: Chara has been used in traditional medicine for its supposed medicinal properties and is used in freshwater aquariums as a decorative plant.

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Chara Reproduction

Vegetative Reproduction in Chara

• Bulbils: Small, spherical, or oval bodies that develop on shoot or root nodes, detach, and germinate into new plants.
• Amorphous Bulbils: Aggregations of cells at nodes that detach and germinate into new plants.
• Amylum Stars: Multicellular aggregations with a star shape and filled with amylum starch, found in the basal region of nodes.
• Secondary Protonema: Thread-like structures formed in basal cells of rhizoids, giving rise to new plants.

Sexual Reproduction in Chara

Structure of Globule

Structure of Nucule

Fertilisation

Germination

Chara Life Cycle Diagram

1. Gametophyte Stage: The life cycle begins with a haploid gametophyte, which is the dominant phase. The gametophyte consists of a cylindrical main axis with whorls of branches. The branches are specialized for different functions, such as reproduction and anchorage.
2. Sexual Reproduction: Chara reproduces sexually by producing male and female gametes. The male gametes, or antherozoids, are produced in structures called antheridia, while the female gametes, or oospheres, are produced in oogonia. The antherozoids swim toward the oogonia and fertilize the oospheres, forming zygotes.
3. Zygote Development: The zygote develops into a diploid sporophyte. This stage is short-lived compared to the gametophyte stage. The sporophyte consists of a single axis with nodes and whorls of branches.
4. Asexual Reproduction: Chara can also reproduce asexually through fragmentation. When the main axis or branches break, they can develop into new individuals under suitable conditions.
5. Sporophyte Stage: The sporophyte produces haploid spores through meiosis. These spores are released into the water and can germinate under favorable conditions, starting the cycle anew.
6. Environmental Adaptations: Chara exhibits adaptations to survive in various aquatic environments. Its sturdy cell walls and branching pattern help it withstand water currents. It also has a high tolerance for changes in water depth and temperature.
7. Ecological Importance: Chara plays a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems. It provides habitat and food for various organisms, helps oxygenate the water, and plays a role in nutrient cycling.

Chara is Monoecious or Dioecious