Question

The bright color of ripe fruits is due to
(a) Leucoplasts
(b) Chloroplasts
(c) Amyloplasts
(d) Chromoplasts

Answer 1

Hint: Certain plastids, heterogeneous organelles responsible for pigment synthesis and storage in specific photosynthetic eukaryotes. These plastids provide bright color to fruits, flowers, and leaves. They are generally found in mature tissues. They synthesize store pigments such as orange carotene, yellow xanthophylls, and various other red pigments.

Complete step by step answer:
The bright color of ripe fruit is due to the presence of chromoplast. Chromoplasts are found in fruits, flowers, roots, and stressed and aging leaves, and are responsible for their distinctive colors. The term chromoplast is usually used to include any plastid that has pigment. The conversion of chloroplast to chromoplast in ripening is a classic example. Fruits and flowers are the main structures for the biosynthesis of carotenoids. Chromoplast synthesizes store pigments such as orange carotene, yellow xanthophylls, and various other red pigments. This is always associated with a massive increase in the accumulation of carotenoid pigments. The change of color of leaves during autumn is due to the loss of chlorophyll. In such cases, relatively little new carotenoid is produced.

Additional information:
- The chromoplast is a coloring agent that attracts the insects. Insects are the mode of transportation as they take pollen grains from the anther to the stigma.
- Leucoplasts store nutrients including starch, fat, and proteins while chromoplasts are responsible for the synthesis and storage of pigments.
- Chromoplasts function in the synthesis and storage of carotenoid pigments in flowers and fruits, and in certain leaves and roots.
So, the correct answer is 'Chromoplast'.

Note: The coloration of petals by chromoplasts is an evolutionary strategy adopted by some angiosperms to attract pollinators.
- Chloroplasts are the most known plastids which are responsible for photosynthesis. These are covered with thylakoids where the process of photosynthesis occurs.
- Chromoplasts is a name given to an area for all the pigments to be kept and synthesized in the plant.