Predominantly diploid life cycle with gametangial meiosis
•Oogamous sexual reproduction:
–Gametangia = oogonia and antheridia
–Thick-walled, resistant oospore formed inside oogonium from oosphere
•Asexual reproduction by heterokont zoospores with tinsel + whiplash flagella
•Cell walls composed primarity of beta-glucans with small amounts of cellulose
•Filamentous species generally produce coenocytic hyphae
•Principle storage compounds are water soluble mycolaminaris (beta-glucans)
•Haustoria formed by plant parasitic species