Leucoplast

Leucoplasts (white plastid of ancient Greek λευκός leukos "white" and an ancient Greek πλαστός plastos "formed" ) are a diverse group of organelles in algae and plant cells. In addition to the chromoplasts and chloroplasts form a subgroup of the plastids. Leucoplasts are colorless, therefore, do not contain chlorophyll and not photosynthesize. You are in ground and storage tissue. There they are used to store, for example, oil ( elaioplasts ), proteins ( Proteinoplasten ). The term used synonymously in older literature the amyloplasts denotes a subset of leucoplasts.

Leucoplasts arise from proplastids. They are evolutionary probably emerged from chloroplasts, which have lost their photosynthetic ability. Some herbal leucoplasts can be converted by light stimuli in chloroplasts and chromoplasts.

Construction

Leucoplasts are characterized by a slightly developed membrane system and small plastoglobules (lipid droplets, which can be stained with osmium black ).

Function

The main function is the synthesis of monoterpenes ( volatiles from vegetable oils ), especially for chemical defense against pathogens and predators (occurrence therefore in epidermal layers adjacent to the outside). In addition leucoplasts can act as protein location (see also Proteinoplast ).

Classification

• Plastid Chloroplast or Etioplast
• Chromoplast
• Leucoplasts amyloplast
• Oil body
• Proteinoplast