Question

Are plastids eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

Answer 1

Hint: Prokaryotic cells have complete absence of membrane-bound organelles and explicit nucleus, whereas eukaryotic cells possess membrane-bound organelles as well as a well-defined nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are multicellular, while prokaryotic cells are typically unicellular.

Complete answer
Unicellular organisms are self-sustaining and capable of completing all of life's essential processes. As a result, a cell is referred to as the basic structural and functional unit of all living creatures. By comparing the characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell types, the nature of plastids can be identified.
Plastids are a type of cell found in plants. These are semi-autonomous because they include genetic material in the form of DNA fragments. DNA is found in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells without a defined membrane around it. The well-defined nucleus is missing in prokaryotes. The genetic material (DNA) is found in plastids distributed throughout the cytoplasm (stroma) and is not enclosed by any membrane. As a result, plastids are prokaryotic.
Plastids are classified into three categories based on their color and pigment content:
1. Leucoplasts are colorless plastids that are found close to the nucleus.
2. Chromoplasts- Due to the presence of carotenoids, these plastids are yellow, orange, or reddish.
3. Chloroplasts- Because chlorophyll is present, these plastids are green in color.

Note:
Plants and algae use plastids as a crucial aspect of photosynthesis. Endosymbiosis, the process of a unicellular heterotrophic protist enveloping and keeping a free-living photosynthetic cyanobacterium rather than digesting it in the food vacuole, explains their origin. Due to the presence of many characteristics similar to prokaryotes, plastids are considered to be prokaryotic.