INTRODUCTION Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular eukaryotic green alga commonly found throughout the world. This photosynthetic organism has two flagella that serve as the basis of its motility. Not only is this organism easily accessible, but it is a model organism for many areas of study (Rochaix et al, Silflow and Lefebvre 2001) including photosynthesis, respiration, flagella, circadian rhythm, cell-to-cell recognition and even homeostasis and tolerance of heavy metals. (M. Hanikenne). The flagella of C. reinhardtii are easily visible and are remarkably similar to the microtubule structures of other mammals (Silflow and Lefebvre 2001). This allows for experimental studies that can aid in the understanding of human diseases related to the dysfunction of microtubule structures within the human body. Because these organisms are able to sustain life in the absence of their flagella, they become a model organism for studying movement, regeneration, and mutational defects. Flagella are easily removed without damaging the cell and make analysis of flagellar proteins a simpler process. Genetic analysis of mutant strains is easily accessible due to the complete sequencing of its genomes (Lefebvre and Silflow 1999). Although the flagellum does not have a life-sustaining role in this organism, it is still very useful throughout its life cycle. Like all chlorophyll-producing plants, C. reinhardtii requires light to support its cellular functions. To enhance its ability to receive the ideal amount, it is able to perceive light via an eye spot and use these signals to control the beating of its flagella (Witman GB 1993). C. reinhardtii is able to propel itself forward with opposite and simultaneous movement...... middle of paper ......4.4. Porter, M.E. 1996. Axonemal dyneins: assembly, organization and regulation. Curr. Opinion. Cellular biol. 8:10–7,5. Rochaix JD, Goldschmidt-Clermont M, Merchant S. 1998. The molecular biology of chloroplasts and mitochondria in Chlamydomonas. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.6. CD Silflow, Lefebvre PA. 2001. Assembly and motility of eukaryotic cilia and flagella. Lessons from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Plant Physiology 127: 1500–1507.7. Wang, Liang, et. al., Flagellar regeneration requires depolymerization of cytoplasmic microtubules and kinesin-13. (2013). Journal of Cellular Science 126, 1531-1540.8. Warner, F. D. & Satir, P. 1974. The structural basis of ciliary fold formation: changes in position of radial spokes accompanying microtubule sliding. J. Cell Biol. 63:35–63.9. Witmann GB. 1993. Phototaxis of Chlamydomonas. Cell Biol Trends; 3:403-8