question_answer 53)

  Are the different types of plastids interchangeable? If yes, give examples where they are getting converted from one type to another.

Answer:

                  Yes, plastids are interchangeable in their form. Generally, three types of plastids arepresent in plant cells, i'.e., leucoplasts (storage), chromoplast (coloured) and chloroplasts(synthesis of food green pigment). Depending upon the circumstances, one type of plasmid may be converted into another type. e.g., (i) In Capsicum, the cells of ovary consist of leucoplasts. When ovary changes into fruit,leucoplasts are transformed into chloroplasts. When the fruit ripens chloroplast areconverted into chromoplast. (ii) The leucoplast in stem tubers of potato, on exposure to sunlight transform to chloroplasts. In some cases the chloroplasts gets converted during ripening of fruits, e.g., tomato chili when they change colour from green to red. In occurs because of chlorophyll anddegeneration of lamella.