Cellular Interactions during the Mating Process in Chlamydomonas eugametos

A method to determine the mating competence of Chlamydomonas eugametos was developed. The contribution of each mating type in the pair formation was investigated using asymmetric gamete mixtures. It was established that pair formation is not mediated by a pheromonal attraction mechanism between partner gametes, but depends on collision chances. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that during transient contacts between partner gametes the flagellar agglutinability of both partners is stimulated, evidently to prepare a successful mating. The plus mating type was generally less agglutinable than the minus mating type and was a rate-limiting factor in the mating process.