Amiloplasts: What are, function and structure

The amyloplasts are Specific plastids present in plant cellsin charge of the synthesis and storage of starch. They are considered a type of leukoplast, which means that they are colorless and lack pigmentation. These organelles are found mainly in storage tissues, such as tubers and bulbs, and play a crucial role in the Contribution of starch grains. Unlike other plastids such as chloroplasts, which are involved in photosynthesis, amyloplasts do not perform this function, although they can be found in plants that do not carry out photosynthesis, such as some parasitic species.

Amiloplasts are developed from pro -plastids and are divided by binary fission. They have a double membrane structure that houses internal compartments where starch accumulates. This storage process is vital for the plant, since Starch acts as an energy reserve. In addition to their function in storage, it has been observed that amyloplast participate in gravitropism processes, helping roots to grow in descending direction.

At the molecular level, the replication and proliferation of amyloplasts have been subject to study, although little about the specific mechanisms that regulate its division are still understood. Recent research has found that certain orthologists, such as FTSZ1/2 and ARC6/parc6, are involved in the morphology of the starch grain and in the proliferation of amyloplast in different plant tissues. This aspect is essential, especially in agricultural cropswhere starch accumulation has a direct impact on productivity.

• Starch synthesis: Amiloplasts convert glucose into starch, a glucose polymer. The starch is stored in the form of granules within the amyloplasts.
• Energy storage: Starch granules act as energy reserves for the plant. They provide energy for periods without light, such as night, when photosynthesis is not performed.
• Gravitropism: Amiloplasts participate in the response of plants to gravity. A specialized guy, called statolite, is denser and moves to the lower part of the cells. You may be interested in this article about tropism: what is, types and examples.
• Gravity detection: Statolites allow plants to detect gravity vector, which influences the directional growth of the roots. The unequal distribution of auxin, a phytohormone, is affected by the position of the statolites.
• Transitory starch: Amiloplasts also synthesize transitory starch, which is temporarily stored in chloroplasts. This starch breaks down to generate energy during the night.
• Structural variability: Amiloplasts can be simple (a single starch grain) or complex (multiple grains). The size of the amyloplast depends on the amount of stored starch.
• RELATIONSHIP WITH CHLOROPLASSES: They are related to chloroplasts, which can also synthesize and store starch. Amiloplasts can be transformed into chloroplasts when exposed to light.

Amiloplasts are organelles characterized by a distinctive structure, composed of a double membrane that contains an internal space known as stroma. The outer membrane of the amyloplast is smooth and continues, while the Internal membrane It presents invaginations that form tubules or tilacoids. This organization allows the creation of an adequate environment for the biochemical reactions involved in starch synthesis.

Inside the stroma, are the Starch granuleswhich are the structures responsible for storing starch. These granules are composed of Two types of molecules: amylopectin, which is branched, and amilosa, which is linear. The disposition of these molecules within the granules is highly organized, allowing efficient compaction and effective energy storage. The size and morphology of starch granules can vary according to the plant species, being typically larger in crops such as corn and rice.

In addition to their main storage function, amyloplast are involved in various metabolic pathways. During their development, it has been observed that they can contain lipids as free fatty acids and phospholipids, which suggests a paper in lipid metabolism. In amyloplasts, starch is synthesized in the stroma through a complex process that includes carbon transfer from the cytosol.

Amiloplasts too They coexist with other types of plastids In plant cells. In some species, amilochromoplasts have been identified, which combine starch granules with carotenoid crystals, reflecting functional diversity in plastids. In tissues with a high starch content, such as tubers and fruits, amyloplasts are essential for the accumulation of carbon reserves, especially during the maturation of the fruits.

Now that you know what amyloplasts are, you may be interested in reading this article about chromoplasts: what are, function and types.

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