Plastids
- Plastids are organelles found in all plant cells and in euglenoides.
- They are easily observable under a microscope due to their relatively large size.
- Plastids are responsible for imparting specific colors to plants, and they contain various pigments.
- Types of Plastids:
Plastids can be classified into three main types based on the type of pigments they contain:
1. Chloroplasts:
- These plastids contain pigments like chlorophyll and carotenoids, which are essential for capturing light energy required for photosynthesis.
2. Chromoplasts:
- Chromoplasts contain fat-soluble carotenoid pigments, such as carotene and xanthophylls, which give plant parts their yellow, orange, or red colors.
3. Leucoplasts:
- Leucoplasts are colorless plastids of various shapes and sizes that store different types of nutrients.
- Amyloplasts store carbohydrates (e.g., starch, found in potatoes), elaioplasts store oils and fats, and aleuroplasts store proteins.