Cadmium-induced ultrastructural changes in chloroplasts of the leaves and stems parenchyma in Myriophyllum spicatum L.

Abstract

After a 5 d cultivation in solutions with different concentrations of cadmium, changes in chloroplasts of the leaf and stem parenchyma from Myriophyllum spicatum L. were observed: swelling and merging of the grana thylakoids in various degrees, coagulation of the stroma as well as the formation of crystal-like structures in it, accompanied by changes in the plastoglobuli and starch. Concentrations of 3.5 and 6.0 g(Cd2+) m-3 caused a vast destruction of the whole plastid apparatus. Chloroplasts in the parenchyma of stems showed a reduction in the inner membrane system, and an increased number of plastoglobuli. A comparative analysis that we carried out indicated that the changes were not uniform and metal-specific.