Archaeplastida

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Archaeplastida Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD