The release of carbohydrates during mating in Chlamydomonas reinhardi

Abstract

During mating of gametes of the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi, certain physiological changes occur. These changes include the formation, in the (+) gamete, of a fertilization tubule and the release, in both mating types, of a lytic factor which removes cell walls. We have been able to quantitate the latter process, by measuring accumulation of released carbohydrates during the mating process. Contrary to published reports, we have found that glutaraldehyde-fixed gametes and isolated gametic flagella, though they cause the agglutination reaction, do not induce the lytic factor. This implies that induction of lysis takes place during the one-to-one (+) and (-) pairing that occurs subsequent to the initial massive agglutination.