volvox
Green rolling spheres
Volvox is a genus of freshwater green algae that forms spherical colonies visible to the naked eye.
Each colony consists of thousands of cells working together, with some specialized for reproduction—making volvox a classic example in biology classes of the transition from single-celled to multicellular life.
We observed volvox under the microscope. (Capitalized Volvox is the formal genus name.)
Globe-like in form
- hollowEmpty within
- globeSpherical representation of landmasses
- rollingTurning over repeatedly
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
orb · gelatinous · matrix · rotating · spinning · transparent · flagellated
Photosynthesis-performing cell structures
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- flagellaWhiplike locomotion appendages
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- greenColor of vegetation
freshwater · ponds · phytoplankton · microalgae · autotrophic · motility · eukaryotic · planktonic
Dependent territorial settlement
- multicellularHaving multiple cells
- sphericalGlobe-like in form
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
organism · aggregate · collective · coordinated · matrix · interconnected
Non-saline aquatic environment
- pondsSmall freshwater bodies
- lakesLarge inland water bodies
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
bioindicator · bloom · zooplankton · biodiversity · oxygenation · seasonal
Light-harvesting plant pigment
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- autotrophSelf-nourishing organism
spherical
Globe-like in form
ball · orb · gelatinous · matrix · rotating · spinning · transparent · flagellated
chloroplasts
Photosynthesis-performing cell structures
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- flagellaWhiplike locomotion appendages
- microscopicToo small for eyes
green · freshwater · ponds · phytoplankton · microalgae · autotrophic · motility · eukaryotic · planktonic · cellulose
colony
Dependent territorial settlement
- multicellularHaving multiple cells
- sphericalGlobe-like in form
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
differentiation · organism · aggregate · collective · coordinated · matrix · interconnected
freshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
eutrophication · bioindicator · bloom · zooplankton · biodiversity · oxygenation · seasonal
chlorophyll
Light-harvesting plant pigment
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- freshwater lifecatfish, trout, bass, salmon, frog
- microorganismsamoeba, paramecium, amoebae, euglena, amoebas
- photosynthesizersplants, plant, tree, green algae, fern
- microalgaemicroalgae, diatom, diatoms, dinoflagellate, chlorella
- aquatic plantseelgrass, sea grass, lotus, water lily, kelp
- Microbesbacteria, bacterium, virus, mold, prokaryote
volvoxamoeba
Shape-shifting single-celled organism
paramecium · euglena · diatom · single-celled organisms · yeast
volvoxanimal
Multicellular motile organism
vertebrate · mammal · human
volvoxparamecium
Ciliated slipper-shaped protozoan
amoeba · vorticella · protozoa · flagellates