Bacterial essence of mitochondria and chloroplasts was initially proclaimed in general outline. Later, the remarkable insight gave way to an elaborate hypothesis. Finally, it took shape of a theory confirmed by molecular biology data. In particular, the rrn operon, which is the key phylogeny marker, locates chloroplasts on the tree of Cyanobacteria. Chloroplast ancestry and diversity can be also traced with the rpoС and psbA genes, rbc operon, and other molecular criteria of prime importance. Another criterion, also highly reliable, is light-harvesting complex (LHC). LHC pigment and protein moieties specify light acclimation strategies in evolutionary retrospect and modern biosphere. The onset of symbiosis between eukaryotic host and pre-chloroplast, as well as further mutual adjustment of partners depended on physiological competence of LHC. In this review, the criterion of LHC is applied to the origin and diversity of chloroplasts. In particular, ancient cyanobacterium possessing tandem antenna (encoded by the cbp genes and the pbp genes, correspondingly), and defined as a prochlorophyte, is argued to be chloroplast ancestor.

最初概述了线粒体和叶绿体的细菌本质。后来，非凡的洞察力被详尽的假设所取代。最后，它形成了一种被分子生物学数据证实的理论。特别是，rrn操纵子是重要的系统发育标记，它在蓝细菌的树上定位叶绿体。叶绿体的祖先和多样性也可以追溯到与rpoС和psbA的基因，RBC操纵子和其他最重要的分子标准。另一个标准，也是高度可靠的，是采光联合体（LHC）。LHC色素和蛋白质部分在进化的回顾和现代生物圈中指定了光适应策略。真核宿主与叶绿体前体之间共生的开始以及伙伴之间的进一步相互调节取决于LHC的生理能力。在这篇综述中，LHC的标准适用于叶绿体的起源和多样性。特别是，具有串联天线（分别由cbp基因和pbp基因编码）并定义为原绿藻的古代蓝藻被认为是叶绿体祖先。