Observations on the fine structure of Oedogonium. VI. The striated component of the compound flagellar "roots" of O. cardiacum

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Abstract
The striated, inner component of the compound flagellar "roots" of zoospores and spermatozoids of Oedogonium cardiacum has been studied ultrastructurally after three methods of preparation. The roots constitute an element of the ring-shaped flagellar apparatus, with the roots and basal bodies alternating in equal numbers. Each root consists of two components radially superposed; the outer component is ribbon-like and formed of three parallel microtubular elements, while the inner component is rod-like (tapering at each extremity) and demonstrates a very regular pattern of cross-striation. Although the striated pattern in sectioned roots differed somewhat from the pattern obtained with negatively stained roots, the major periodicity in both instances averaged about 305–325 Å. This contrasts to a periodicity of 150 Å which was reported earlier. The pattern of cross-striation appears the same for roots of both spermatozoids and zoospores when any one method of preparing the material is considered separately. Furthermore, no distinctions were observed in zoospore roots obtained from a haploid male strain, a haploid female strain, and a diploid female strain. The striated root component of Oedogonium may provide mechanical support for the flagellar apparatus, thereby serving as a means for distributing throughout the motile cell the stresses generated by flagellar action. A possible contractile function cannot be excluded.

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