[Biogenesis and possible modification of carotenoid composition in the Eyespot of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants].

Biogenesis of the eyespot ultrastructure in the chloroplasts of the mutants of unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas renihardtii was studied. Development of the eyespot ultrastructure was found to correlate with carotenoid accumulation. Depending on their content, the eyespot formed 1 to 5 layers of lipid-carotenoid globules. Accumulation of carotene in the eyespot globules was shown. It was found that carotene composition in the eyespot of the mutants could vary depending on their composition in the chloroplast membranes.