Algal morphogenesis: modelling interspecific variation inMicrasteriaswith reaction–diffusion patterned catalysis of cell surface growth

Abstract

Semi–cell morphogenesis in unicellular desmid algae of the genusMicrasteriasgenerates a stellar shape by repeated dichotomous branching of growing tips of the cell surface. The numerous species of the genus display variations of the branching pattern that differ markedly in number of branchings, lobe width and lobe length. We have modelled this morphogenesis, following previous work by D. M. Harrison and M. Kolár (1988), on the assumptions that patterning occurs by chemical reaction–diffusion activity within the plasma membrane, leading to morphological expression by patterned catalysis of the extension of the cell surface. The latter has been simulated in simplified form by two–dimensional computations. Our results indicate that for generation of repeated branchings and for the control of diverse species–specific shapes, the loss of patterning activity and of rapid growth in regions separating the active growing tips is an essential feature. We believe this conclusion to be much more general than the specific details of our model. We discuss the limitations of the model especially in terms of what extra features might be addressed in three–dimensional computation.