?-1,3 Glucan: A Source of Carbon and Energy for Chloroplast Development in Euglena A Gracilis

Abstract

The illumination of dark-adapted cells of E. gracilis under non-dividing conditions induced not only the production of chloroplasts but also a rapid breakdown of J3-1,3·glucan, the reserve carbohydrate of this organism. The decrease in ,8-1,3-glucan preceded the synthesis of most of the chlorophyll and was confined to the first 24 hr of illumination, whereas chlorophyll synthesis continued for at least 72 hr.