noun
- Small, dense, protein-rich bodies found in the chloroplasts of certain algae and plants, typically associated with starch storage and photosynthesis.
Usage: biology; plural form of pyrenoid; commonly found in green algae and some lower plants
Examples
- The chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas contain prominent pyrenoids that aid in carbon fixation.
- Pyrenoids are structures where starch accumulates in many algal species.
- Under the microscope, the pyrenoids appeared as distinct granules within the chloroplast.
- The presence of pyrenoids is a characteristic feature of certain green algae.
- Scientists study pyrenoids to understand photosynthetic efficiency in algae.