Amyloplasts are a type of plastid, double-enveloped organelles in plant cells that are involved in various biological pathways. Amyloplasts are specifically a type of leucoplast, a subcategory for colorless, non-pigment-containing plastids.[1][2] Amyloplasts are found in roots and storage tissues, and they store and synthesize starch for the plant through the polymerization of glucose.[1] Starch synthesis relies on the transportation of carbon from the cytosol, the mechanism by which is currently under debate.[2][3]
Starch synthesis and storage also takes place in chloroplasts, a type of pigmented plastid involved in photosynthesis.[1] Amyloplasts and chloroplasts are closely related, and amyloplasts can turn into chloroplasts; this is for instance observed when potato tubers are exposed to light and turn green.[4]
- ^ a b c Wise RR, Hoober JK (2006-01-01). "The Diversity of Plastid Form and Function". The structure and function of plastids. Vol. 23. pp. 3–26. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
- ^ a b Neuhaus HE, Emes MJ (June 2000). "Nonphotosynthetic Metabolism in Plastids". Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology. 51: 111–140. doi:10.1146/annurev.arplant.51.1.111. PMID 15012188.
- ^ Naeem M, Tetlow IJ, Emes MJ (March 2002). "Starch synthesis in amyloplasts purified from developing potato tubers". The Plant Journal. 11 (5): 1095–1103. doi:10.1046/j.1365-313x.1997.11051095.x.
- ^ Anstis PJ, Northcote DH (1973). "Development of chloroplasts from amyloplasts in potato tuber discs". New Phytologist. 72 (3): 449–463. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1973.tb04394.x.