Chlorellaceae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chlorellaceae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chlorella vulgaris | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order: | Chlorellales |
| Family: | Chlorellaceae Brunnthaler |
| Genera | |
|
See below | |
Chlorellaceae are a family of green algae in the order Chlorellales.[1] About 250 species are currently accepted in the family. Members of the family are distributed worldwide and are common in a variety of freshwater, terrestrial and marine environments.[2]
Members of the family Chlorellaceae are important ecologically, mainly as primary producers.[2] Algae such as Chlorella are important model organisms for plant physiology and biochemistry, because of they are easy to cultivate and grow rapidly.[3] Additionally, many members are rich in lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins, making them of interest in the field of biotechnology.[2] Meanwhile, genera such as Prototheca are of clinical significance as pathogens of humans and other animals.[4]
Members of Chlorellaceae are morphologically diverse and include solitary and colonial forms. Traditionally, the family was circumscribed based on the mode of reproduction (production of autospores), and the family was defined around the type genus Chlorella, which is generally solitary and consists of spherical cells. However, based on molecular evidence, a number of genera have been moved into Chlorellaceae that differ significantly in morphology; these include Actinastrum (elongate cells in colonies), Micractinium (spherical cells with bristles), and Didymogenes (colonial cells with a thick mucilaginous envelope).[5] Cells generally contain a single chloroplast with a pyrenoid.
In addition to autotrophic members that contain a chloroplast, the family includes genera which have lost the ability to photosynthesize are therefore heterotrophic. These genera, namely Prototheca and Helicosporidium, are colorless, single-celled organisms that resemble yeast, and are opportunistic pathogens of animals.[4]
