Amyloplast

Amyloplasts ( altgr. ἄμυλον AMYLON " power flour ", " strength" and πλαστός plastos "formed" ) are organelles found in some plant cells. They are a chlorophyll - free form of plastids and therefore belong to the leucoplasts. Their function is the creation and storage of starch. They are therefore found in the storage organs of plants, ie fruits, parts of the stem axis or in underground reserve organs ( storage roots, tubers, rhizomes). Since they can burst due to the high starch content and starch present is released, they are also known as starch grains.

The starch determination succeeds under a microscope by the blue-violet color reaction that results with iodine Lugol solution. The amyloplasts of potato show (especially in polarized light) under the microscope growth rings. When the banana amyloplasts form by unilateral growth elongated structures which are best seen in half-ripe bananas.

In spurge is found dumbbell - or bone-shaped amyloplasts, while in the fruits of oats, rice, and bluegrass from many sub- grains composite amyloplasts are included.

Amyloplasts can also at gravitropism, the vertical growth, play a role.

• Cell organelle