Video clips
Volvox 1
Play video:
Volvox aureus - Gelatinous balls consisting of thousands of tiny green algae in colony connected to each other by fine strings of plasm. Daughter colonies are enclosed.
Volvox 2
Play video:
Volvox aureus - The structure of a hollow globe with green cells
on the surface can clearly be discerned.
The volvox globe can spin with the help of specialised cilia cells. Beginning of
multicellular stage and division of labour; the price to be paid (in consequence)
is mortality.
Volvox 3
Play video:
Volvox aureus - Asexual reproduction by pinching the daughter
globe into the centre.
It is still dark green because it is crammed with cells containing chlorophyll.
After splitting up and releasing her daughters the mother ball will die.