Conversion of etioplast to chloroplast

Thylakoid membranes formed from prolamellar bodies

Process is rapid

In this image, an etioplast is shown that is converting to the normal chloroplast form in lily (Lilium regale). The sample is from cells of a floral bud that were opening to the light, and the conversion process was taking place showing some thylakoid structure forming grana that were developing from the prolamellar bodies. This conversion takes place within minutes.