Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Visualizing Stromule Frequency with Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: November 23, 2016
PATHWAYS OF PLASTID DIFFERENTIATION IN SPIRODELA OLIGORRHIZA
1The Institute for Nature Conservation Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
Abstract:
In light-grown Spirodela oligorrhiza, a duckweed, chloroplasts complete differentiation in 2·5 days. When young green fronds are transferred to the dark, their plastids undergo ultrastructural changes that are retrogressive. Prolamellar bodies appear in the intergranal spaces within 12 to 18 h, while well-developed amyloplasts can be seen after 11 days. Mature green fronds maintained in the dark for up to 3 months remain unchanged. The results are discussed in the context of monotropic and reversible pathways of plastid differentiation in higher plants.
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Protists IV
The Anatomy of Chloroplasts
Structure of...
Protein Transport to the Outer Chloroplast Membrane
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
Plasmodesmata
iPS Cell Differentiation
Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane

