Abstract

A key step in the development of chloroplasts in higher plants is the reduction of the precursor protochlorophyllide (PChlide) into chlorophyllide (Chlide), which is then esterified by phytol. The reduction process is activated by light and it involves the attachment of two hydrogen atoms. Spectroscopic studies of etiolated leaves or isolated etioplasts at low temperatures have been extensively performed for the investigations on the primary states of the chlorophyllide formation. However little is established about the detailed mechanism of this process at the present stage of research.

© 1984 Optical Society of America