Types of Chloroplasts in Different Algae

 

Chloroplasts in algae vary widely in shape, structure, and pigmentation depending on the type (or class) of algae. These differences are often used as classification features. Below are types of chloroplasts in different algal groups:

Chlorophyceae (Green Algae)

Example algae :- Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Oodogonium, Chara ,Ulothrix

Chloroplast type:- Cup-shaped, spiral, reticulate, discoid, Girdle shape, Stellate, Plate like

Chloroplast Shape 

Chlamydomonas - Cup shaped

Volvox - Cup shaped

Spirogyra  - Spiral

Oodogonium - Reticulate

Chara -  Discoid

Ulothrix - Girdle shape

Zygnema - Stellate or Star shape

Mougeoutia - Plate - like, Ribbon shape

Pigments Present- Chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids

Phaeophyceae (Brown Algae)

Example algae - Fucus, Sargassum

Chloroplast type- Discoid or band shaped

Chloroplast Shape - Discoid, ribbon-like

Pigments Present- Chlorophyll a, c, fucoxanthin

Rhodophyceae (Red Algae)

Example algae - Polysiphonia, Gelidium

Chloroplast type - Stellate or ribbon-like

Chloroplast Shape - Star-shaped or band-like

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, d, phycoerythrin

Euglenophyceae

Example algae - Euglena

Chloroplast type -Discoid or oval

Chloroplast Shape - Discoid

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, b

Chrysophyceae (Golden Algae)

Example algae - Dinobryon

Chloroplast type - Discoid

Chloroplast Shape- Discoid

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, c, fucoxanthin

Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms)

Example algae - Navicula, Coscinodiscus

Chloroplast type - Discoid or plate-like

Chloroplast Shape- Discoid

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, c, fucoxanthin

Dinophyceae (Dinoflagellates)

Example algae - Ceratium, Peridinium

Chloroplast type - Oval, ribbon-like, or multiple small plastids

Chloroplast Shape- Ribbon-like or lobed

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, c, peridinin

Xanthophyceae (Yellow-Green Algae)

Example algae - Vaucheria

Chloroplast type - Discoid

Chloroplast Shape - Discoid

Pigments Present - Chlorophyll a, c, Βeta - carotene, Xanthophylls

Importance

Chloroplast shapes help in taxonomy and identification.

Pigment composition varies and affects the algae's color:

Green algae: green due to chlorophyll b.

Brown algae: brown due to fucoxanthin.

Red algae: red due to phycoerythrin.

Some algae (e.g., Euglena) have chloroplasts with pyrenoids, involved in starch storage

Reference:-

https://www.gujaratbiologyneet.com/2023/06/standard-11plant-kingdom-chlorophyceae.html#google_vignette