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Prochloron--a status report.
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla 92093, USA.
Phycologia
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Prochloron, a symbiotic prokaryotic algae, shares traits with cyanophytes but has unique features. Research suggests it may support the theory of chloroplast symbiogenesis in green plants.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Prokaryotic algae research
- Symbiosis studies
Background:
- Prochloron is a prokaryotic algae genus with pigments similar to chlorophytes.
- Prochlorophytes are obligate symbionts of marine protochordates (didemnid ascidians).
- Culturing Prochloron ex-symbiont has not been achieved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of Prochloron.
- To explore phylogenetic relationships between Prochloron, cyanophytes, and chlorophytes.
- To evaluate the contribution of Prochloron to the symbiogenesis theory of chloroplasts.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analyses of Prochloron.
- Physiological studies of Prochloron.
- Cytological and fine-structural examinations of Prochloron.
Main Results:
- Prochloron exhibits numerous resemblances to cyanophytes.
- Prochloron possesses unique character combinations distinguishing it from cyanophytes.
- Data suggests close phylogenetic affinities between Prochloron and cyanophytes.
Conclusions:
- Prochloron's unique characteristics warrant further investigation.
- Findings provide support for the symbiogenesis theory regarding the origin of green-plant chloroplasts.
- Alternative theories for chloroplast origin are considered.