Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Evaluation of the Effect of Growth Factors on Chlorophylls a and b Production from Microalgae
Published on: October 25, 2024
Growth temperature effects on thylakoid membrane lipid and protein content of pea chloroplasts
D J Chapman1, J De-Felice, J Barber
1ARC Photosynthesis Research Group, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London SW7 2BB England.
Abstract:
The lipid composition and level of unsaturation of fatty acids has been determined for chloroplast thylakoid membranes isolated from Pisum sativum grown under cold (4 degrees /7 degrees C) or warm (14 degrees /17 degrees C) conditions. Both the relative amounts of lipid classes and degree of saturation were not greatly changed for the two growth conditions. In cold-grown plants, there was a slightly higher linolenic and lower linoleic acid content for the glycolipids monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. In contrast to thylakoid membranes, a non-thylakoid leaf membrane fraction including the chloroplast envelope, had a higher overall level of fatty acid unsaturation in cold-grown plants due mainly to an increase in the linolenic acid content of MGDG, DGDG, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine. The most clear cut change in the thylakoid membrane composition was the lipid to protein ratio which was higher in the cold-grown plants.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Protein Transport to the Thylakoids
Protein Transport to the Stroma
Protein complexes called the translocon of the outer chloroplast membrane or TOC complex, and the translocon of the inner chloroplast membrane or TIC complex mediate the...

