Fig. 2.

Life cycle of Saccharina latissima. The life cycle of S. latissima can be split into a diploid phase (blue) and a haploid phase (yellow). Adult sporophytes (2n) release zoospores, which grow into either female or male gametophytes (1n). Female gametophytes release eggs (1n); male gametophytes release gametes (1n). The egg and gamete fuse to form a zygote (2n), which grows into a sporophyte (2n). Sporophyte photograph: S. Forbord. Microscopic photographs and description (I. Bartsch) are included to provide additional information about the variety and diversity of gametophytes.