Archaeplastida

Archaeplastida is a major group of eukaryotes, comprising the red algae (Rhodophyta), the green algae, and the land plants, along with a small group of freshwater unicellular algae called glaucophytes. The Archaeplastida have chloroplasts that are surrounded by two membranes, suggesting that they were acquired directly by endosymbiosis of a cyanobacterium.

Classification

The Archaeplastida are a sister group to the Chromista and both groups are combined into the Bikonta. The name Archaeplastida comes from the ancient plastid (chloroplast) in their cells, which is a result of the endosymbiotic event.

Characteristics

Archaeplastida are autotrophic organisms with chloroplasts that carry out photosynthesis. They are generally immobile and are bound by a cell wall which prevents them from over expanding when water enters their cells.

Evolution

The first evidence of the Archaeplastida lineage is represented by fossil stromatolites, which are microbial mats created by photosynthetic bacteria, dating back 3.5 billion years.

See also

• Plant
• Algae
• Photosynthesis
• Endosymbiosis

References

Archaeplastida Resources
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