Chloroplast

Molecular Biology of the Cell

Chloroplast Biogenesis

Chloroplast is the organelle where the life-giving process photosynthesis takes place; it is the site where plants and algae produce food and oxygen that sustain our life. The story of how it originates from proplastids, and how it ultimately dies is beautifully portrayed by three authorities in the field: Basanti Biswal, Udaya Biswal and M. K. Raval. I consider it a great privilege and honor to have been asked to write this foreword. The book ' Chloroplast biogenesis: from proplastid to gerontoplast' goes much beyond photosynthesis. The character of the book is different from that of many currently available books because it provides an integrated approach to cover the entire life span of the organelle including its senescence and death. The books available are mostly confined to the topics relating to the 'build up' or development of chloroplast during greening. The story of organelle biogenesis without description of the events associated with its regulated dismantling during genetically programmed senescence is incomplete. A large volume of literature is available in this area of chloroplast senescence accumulated during the last 20 years. Although some of the findings in this field have been organized in the form of reviews, the data in the book are generalized and integrated with simple text and graphics. This book describes the structural features of prop las tid and its transformation to fully mature chloroplast, which is subsequently transformed into gerontoplast exhibiting senescence syndrome. The book consists of five major chapters.

Chloroplasts

This monograph is intended to provide an overview of the structure, function, and development of the chloroplast. It should be viewed as a beginning of the study of chloroplasts and not as an end. In keeping with an introductory approach, abbreviations generally have not been used, so that substance is not replaced by symbol. The principal aim has been to provide a teaching tool to introduce students to the major characteristics of the chloroplast, with as much emphasis on mech anisms as possible at this level. It was written for students with an advanced college level education in biology and chemistry who also have some knowl edge of biochemistry. The fundamentals of these subj ects cannot be included in a book of this type. However, to provide a meaningful description of how the chloroplast works, Le. , what the mechanisms of photosynthetic reactions are, the subj ect must be dealt with at the molecular level. Living systems are chemical systems, and the importance of understanding these systems at the molecular level cannot be overstated. Therefore, although attempts were made to keep the chemistry at a relatively simple level, occasionally statements are made that can be understood only with a sufficient background knowledge of chemistry. It is important for students to realize in broad outline form the functions of the chloroplast and where its functions fit into the scheme of life.