page_title: Kleptoplasty
hierarchical_section_title: Kleptoplasty
caption_attribution_description: English: A digestive tubule cell of Elysia crispata, synonym: Elysia clarki, densely packed with sequestered chloroplasts (C) and cell nucleus (N). Electron microscopic image. Scale bar: 3 µm.
context_page_description: Kleptoplasty or kleptoplastidy is a symbiotic phenomenon whereby plastids, notably chloroplasts from algae, are sequestered by host organisms. The word is derived from Kleptes which is Greek for thief. The alga is eaten normally and partially digested, leaving the plastid intact. The plastids are maintained within the host, temporarily continuing photosynthesis and benefiting the predator. The term was coined in 1990 to describe chloroplast symbiosis.
context_section_description: Kleptoplasty or kleptoplastidy is a symbiotic phenomenon whereby plastids, notably chloroplasts from algae, are sequestered by host organisms. The word is derived from Kleptes (κλέπτης) which is Greek for thief. The alga is eaten normally and partially digested, leaving the plastid intact. The plastids are maintained within the host, temporarily continuing photosynthesis and benefiting the predator. The term was coined in 1990 to describe chloroplast symbiosis.
caption: A digestive tubule cell of the sea slug Elysia clarki, packed with chloroplasts taken from green algae.
   C = chloroplast,
   N = cell nucleus.
   Electron micrograph: scale bar is 3 µm.
exif: {}