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Kenneth Cline, Professor, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program and Department of Horticultural Sciences University of Florida |
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HOME Teaching
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We study the structure, function and biogenesis of chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and etioplasts. These plastids are developmentally related organelles that evolved from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont. The chloroplast is a direct descendant of the cyanobacterium. Other plastid types result from differential regulation of plastid biochemical pathways. For example in chromoplasts, carotenoid synthesis is up-regulated and photosynthesis down-regulated. Plastid biology shares much in common with prokaryote biology. However, interesting differences highlight the manner in which a bacterium adapted to semi-autonomous existence within another cell.
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