Nitroplast

Organelle Details
Nitroplast
Close-up of a Nitroplast
Base Cost (MP)	50
Requires Nucleus	Yes
Processes	Aerobic Nitrogen Fixation
Enzymes	None
Size (Hexes)	2
Osmoregulation Cost	2
Storage	1
Unique	No
Upgrades	None
Internal Name	nitrogenfixingplastid

The Nitroplast is a membrane-bound organelle used to produce Ammonia , one of the components of growth for cellular reproduction. Performs Anaerobic Nitrogen Fixation to convert gaseous Nitrogen and ATP into Ammonia . More efficient than the prokaryotic Nitrogenase.

Requirements

A cell must have a Nucleus to evolve Nitroplasts.

Processes

Aerobic Nitrogen Fixation

Fixes atmospheric Nitrogen into Ammonia by expending energy. Rate scales with the amount of environmental Nitrogen and Oxygen . More efficient than the equivalent process in Nitrogenase.

Modifications

No modifications.

Effects

No effects.

Upgrades

No upgrades.

Strategy

We recommend replacing Nitrogenase with Nitroplasts when your cell develops a Nucleus, as the latter can more efficiently generate resources needed for reproduction.

As with Nitrogenase, Nitroplasts are a sensible choice if you have ATP to spare. Creating reproduction resources yourself removes a limiting factor on your ability to progress through generations more quickly. This will also require gathering extra Phosphates , which can be gained from floating chunks of crystal, or from purple clouds.

Scientific Background

Nitroplasts have been shown to have evolved from endosymbionts in eukaryotic cells.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroplast

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado8571