Question

Short / Long answer type questions.
Name the different types of plastids that may be found in plant cells. List their functions.

Answer 1

Types of Plastids found in plants are:

• Chloroplasts– Chloroplasts are the most known plastids and are responsible for photosynthesis.
• Chromoplasts– It refers to an area for all the pigments to be kept and synthesized in the plant. Chloroplasts usually convert into chromoplasts. Chromoplasts are carotenoid pigments that allow different colours to be seen in leaves and fruits.
• Gerontoplasts – These are basically chloroplasts that go with the ageing process and are found in ageing tissues like dead leaves, etc.
• Leucoplasts – These are the non-pigmented organelles and are hence colourless. They are mostly found in non-photosynthetic parts of the plant including roots. They act as a storage site for starches, lipids, and proteins depending on the needs of the plant.