Ferroplast

Organelle Details
Ferroplast
Base Cost (MP)	45
Requires Nucleus	Yes
Processes	ferrosynthesis
Enzymes	Rusticyanin
Size (Hexes)	2
Osmoregulation Cost	2
Storage	0.5
Unique	No
Upgrades	None
Internal Name	ferroplast

A metallic powerhouse. The Ferroplast uses Iron and Carbon Dioxide to produce ATP by the process of Iron Chemolithoautotrophy. This involves oxidizing Iron , changing it from one chemical state to another. The effect scales with Carbon Dioxide concentration, so lower levels of Carbon Dioxide in the environment will lead to less ATP being produced.

A Ferroplast is a double-membrane structure containing a network of proteins and enzymes. It is a prokaryote that has been assimilated for use by its eukaryotic host. It works at a much higher efficiency than can be achieved with Rusticyanin.

Requirements

A cell must have a Nucleus to evolve Ferroplasts.

If organelle upgrades are enabled in game settings, the following condition must be true for the player cell:

• Contains Rusticyanin for at least 6 generations in a row.

Processes

Iron Chemolithoautotrophy: Iron + Carbon Dioxide → ATP

A method of generating energy without Glucose . Consumes Iron and scales with the amount of environmental Carbon Dioxide .

Aerobic Respiration: Glucose + Oxygen → ATP + Carbon Dioxide

One of the main methods of energy production, superior to that in Metabolosomes. Requires a steady influx of Glucose . Rate scales with the concentration of environmental Oxygen .

Modifications

No modifications.

Effects

No effects.

Upgrades

No upgrades.

Strategy

In environments with plentiful Iron and high levels of Carbon Dioxide , Ferroplasts are excellent primary or secondary energy sources. Be aware though that concentrations of both compounds can decrease as the game progresses, so we recommend making use of additional energy sources before your cell starts to struggle

We also recommend replacing Rusticyanin with Ferroplasts after evolving a Nucleus for far greater efficiency.

Scientific Background

Ferroplasts have not been discovered in real life, but are theorised to be entirely possible, based on the evolution of endosymbiotes (such as the Mitochondrion) and the energy-yielding capabilities of Rusticyanin.