Question

What is the function of chloroplast and leucoplast?

Answer 1

Hint: Chloroplast and leucoplast are the plastid present in the plant. Plastid is the organelles which are bound with membrane.

Complete Answer:
- The plastid was used for the first time in 1885 by Schimper. It divided plastids into three categories: Leucoplast, Chromoplast and chloroplast. Schimper understands that these plastids convert into each other.
- Leucoplast meaning in the greek is leuco = white; plast = living. This means leucoplast are the white plastids. These are present in embryonic and germ cells. These are mainly found in that region which is deficient of light or light totally absent. Important function of Leucoplast is the storage of carbohydrates, lipids and protein.
- Chloroplast meaning in the greek is chloro = green; plast = living. It is mainly found in the green algae and plants. It contains pigments like chlorophyll. It takes part in the photosynthesis.
- Chromoplast meaning in the greek is chroma = colour; plast = living. It also contains pigment and imparts the colour in a certain part of the plant.

Function of the Chloroplasts and Leucoplasts are below:
Chloroplasts are the part where photosynthesis takes place as they contain chlorophyll pigment. Glucose is formed in chloroplast and also stored in the form of starch. Leucoplasts are colorless plastids which perform the function of storage of oil, starch, and proteins.

Note: Leucoplast also involved in the biosynthesis of palmitic acid and certain amino acids on the other hand chloroplast involved in biosynthesis of fatty acids and amino acids.