New Discovery Unlocks Plants' Ability to Survive and Thrive in Heat!
Thermotolerant chloroplasts adapt to heat stress by changing their lipid composition and increasing the production of specific proteins. Even though protein synthesis is affected by heat, certain proteins crucial for photosynthesis are still made. Heat shock proteins help chloroplasts survive high temperatures by interacting with membranes and promoting the formation of key lipids. The chloroplasts also reorganize their internal structure to efficiently transport ATP and essential components for photosynthesis. These strategies help plant cells cope with heat stress and recover from damage.