Oedogonium is a form of filamentous green algae. It is capabable of reproducing asexually, which means that each oedogonium has both male and female reproductive organs. In asexual reproduction, the oedogonium fragments and produces zoospores. Zoospores are able to move spontaneously through the water. Once the zoospore is produced, it is released and is free to find a viable substrate. Once found, the zoospore's cells are able to divide and form a new filament of oedogonium.
In addition to being able to reproduce asexually, the oedogonium is capable of reproducing sexually. In sexual reproduction, the filament portion of the oedogonium, called the antheridium, produces and releases sperm. The sperm sinks through the water until it meets with the filament portion of the oedogonium, called the oogonium, which contains a large egg. If the sperm successfully fertilizes the egg, a zygote is produced.
After the zygote is produced, it is released into the water and develops zoospores. The zoospores are similar to those created through asexual reproduction. Once the zoospores mature, the zygote splits open, releasing the zoospores. The zoospores then attach to the bottom of the sea and the cells in the zoospores divide to produce a new filament of oedogonium.
