C. confervae is a eucarpic, monocentric chytrid that has been cultured synchronously ( L. P. Gauriloff and M. S. Fuller, 1979, Exp. Mycol. 3: 3–5). In this study we use light and electron microscopy to examine the development of zoospores and the discharge apparatus, focusing on the multiple roles of the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus produces, in succession, vesicles with electron-opaque cores that may function in cell wall formation, secretory vesicles that form the extracellular lenticular deposit of the discharge apparatus, cleavage vesicles that fuse to form the plasma membranes of the developing zoospores, and vesicles that contain cell coat material for the zoospores. The discharge apparatus consists of the operculum (a circle of sporangial wall delimited from the rest of the wall), the lenticular deposit, and an outer layer found between the lens and the operculum. At discharge, the operculum dehisces, the outer layer ruptures, and the lenticular deposit expands to form a vesicle that constrains the zoospores. The outer layer provides the mechanical connection between the wall and the vesicle. Comparison of discharge apparatus development with other Chytridiomycetes suggests that the order of the developmental steps leading to discharge may be as important to chytrid taxonomy as the steps themselves.