Final answer:
Volvox colonies consist of 500 to 60,000 cells that form a hollow sphere, suggesting how multicellular organisms might have evolved from cooperative single-celled organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonial organisms like Volvox represent an important step in the evolution of multicellularity. A Volvox colony is made up of a variable number of cells ranging from around 500 to as many as 60,000. These cells are organized into a hollow, spherical configuration, encapsulated in a gelatinous substance made of glycoproteins and are interconnected by cytoplasmic bridges, which allows them to move in a coordinated manner.
Volvox is a fascinating organism because it embodies both the unity of a multicellular organism and the independence of individual cells. Cells within a Volvox colony have different degrees of specialization; for example, daughter colonies are produced by only a few cells within the colony. This organism provides insight into how multicellular life may have evolved from cooperative groups of single-celled organisms.