STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF PITHOPHORA OEDOGONIA (CHLOROPHYTA) CELL WALLS1

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Abstract
Carbohydrates, amino acids and other cell wall components of Pithophora oedogonia (Montagne) Wittrock were identified by physical, biochemical, and cytochemical techniques as well as by light and electron microscopy. The major polysaccharides of P. oedogonia cell walls were cellulose and chitin. In addition to N‐acetylglucosamine and glucose, N‐acetylgalactosamine, galactose, arabinose, fucose, mannose, xylose, and galacturonic acid were the other sugars, amino sugars, and sugar derivatives detected. The carbohydrate content of the cell walls was estimated to be 65% non‐nitrogenous hexose and 6% chitin. Chitin was present in the crosswall disks and outer wall, whereas cellulose was confined to the inner wall. Protein and N‐ acetylgalactosamine were concentrated in the chitin‐rich wall fraction. The location of chitin in P. oedogonia cell walk is suggested as a basis for morphological differences between the two genera, Cladophora and Pithophora.