5+ Important Facts On Chloroplast Growth: How, When, Where, Why?

We will see the growth of chloroplast, how it grows, where it grows, the factor that causes chlorophyll to grow and many more facts about chloroplast growth. 

Chloroplast is the organelles that are found in eukaryotic organisms. It is a membrane-bound organelle. The primary function of chloroplast is to aid organisms in photosynthesis.Let us see in the below section about chloroplast growth.

Does chloroplast grow?

The chloroplasts are the small green plastids which are involved in the process of photosynthesis and preparation of food for the plants. The chloroplast grows inside the plants in different parts of the plant body. For example- it grows in the leaves since it contains chlorophyll in the grana of the chloroplast.

The chlorophyll gives the chloroplast a green color, and it is also responsible for the food preparation of plants and the process of photosynthesis.

chloroplast growth
Chloroplast from Wikipedia

How does chloroplast grow?

The chloroplast starts developing from a non-photosynthesis form called proplastid. It contains only two membranes which are outer and inner ones. From generation to generation, it is formed into chloroplasts. The thylakoid membrane divides it into three compartments. 

chloroplast growth
Chloroplast Illustration from Flickr

Where does chloroplast grow?

The chloroplast concentration is highest in the parenchyma cells of leaf mesophylls. Many improvements in understanding chloroplast biogenesis and development have been made in recent years.

There are several types of plastids in plants, including the proplastid, leucoplasts, including elaioplasts (lipids), amyloplasts (starch), or proteinoplasts (proteins)), chromoplasts (yellow to orange-coloured due to carotenoids, found in flowers.

chloroplast growth
Chloroplast from Wikipedia

Despite the fact that chloroplast function is similar in all plants, most algae, ferns, and mosses, comprehensive examples have found considerable variances, particularly in terms of biogenesis.

What causes chlorophyll to grow?

Chlorophyll is present inside the grana part of the chlorophyll. We are all aware that chlorophyll is required for a vital process known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, electron transport chain starts going on and the electron get transferred to water and form carbon dioxide.

By absorbing solar energy from the sun,the electron gets excited which is present in chlorophyll and result in diving, and that’s how the chlorophyll grows. It is also seen that the concentration of chlorophyll is seen to be increase after rain specially for chlorophyll a. During summer also, the number of chlorophyll is seen to be elevated.

Other than that there are chloroplast growth hormone that helps in the growth and development of chloroplast which result in the increase of chlorophyll. 

chloroplast growth
Chloroplast division from Wikipedia

Nutrients like nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and zinc are also important and causes chlorophyll to grow.

Chloroplast growth hormone

The chloroplast contains certain hormones that help develop chloroplasts in plant organisms. The plant hormone called cytokinin is also known as a chloroplast growth hormone because it helps grow the chloroplasts.

The cytokinin help to increase the number of the chloroplast. It also helps in the regulation of chloroplast biogenesis and division of chloroplast.

It also increases chloroplast biosynthesis by increasing POR activity and ALA synthesis. It helps regulate plastid and nuclear gene expression, which has an important role in developing chloroplast. The cytokinin hormone is a cell dividing hormone that divides chloroplast and results in the growth and development of chloroplast.

What affects chloroplast growth?

There are various reasons which affect chloroplast growth.In addition to genetic factors, the growing environment has been demonstrated to influence the size and number of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells.

When CO2 levels are high, numerous studies have found that chloroplast size and number increase.

Chlorophyll’ a’ concentrations are generally higher after rain, especially if nutrients have been washed into the water. It also increases chloroplast biosynthesis by increasing POR activity and ALA synthesis.

It helps regulate plastid and nuclear gene expression, which has an important role in developing chloroplast. The cytokinin hormone is a cell dividing hormone that divides chloroplast and results in the growth and development of chloroplast.

Conclusion

At the end of this article we can summarize the article by saying the importance of chloroplast growth and how it is important for the process of photosynthesis.

Also Read: