Plastids

The idea

Plant cells have tiny rod-shaped plastids; chloroplasts contain green chlorophyll and help in photosynthesis, while plastids in non-green parts store substances.

Green and not green

A leaf is green. A root is not. Cells in all parts of a plant have tiny rod-shaped structures called plastids.

Do you think the plastids in a leaf and in a root are the same?

• Yes, exactly the same
• No, they do different jobs
• Roots have no plastids

Look inside plant cells

Tap each part of the plant. You will see one of its cells and its plastids.

Chloroplasts and storage plastids

Plant cells have tiny rod-shaped plastids. Chloroplasts contain green chlorophyll and help in photosynthesis. In non-green parts, plastids help in storing substances.

• Part of the plant | Plastids
• Leaf (green) | Chloroplasts with chlorophyll: photosynthesis
• Root, potato (not green) | Store substances

Notes

Plastids are tiny rod-shaped structures in plant cells. Chloroplasts have green chlorophyll and help in photosynthesis. Plastids in non-green parts store substances.

Check yourself

What makes chloroplasts green?

What do plastids do in the non-green parts of a plant?

Where are plastids found?

• Chlorophyll — correct. Yes. Chlorophyll is the green substance in chloroplasts.
• The cell wall. The cell wall is the outer layer. The green comes from chlorophyll in the chloroplasts.
• The nucleus. The nucleus regulates the cell. The green comes from chlorophyll.
• They help in the storage of substances — correct. Yes. In non-green parts plastids store substances.
• They do photosynthesis. Photosynthesis needs chlorophyll, which makes plastids green. Non-green parts do not have it.
• They regulate growth. The nucleus regulates growth.
• In cells in all parts of a plant — correct. Yes. All parts of a plant have cells with plastids.
• Only in leaves. Roots and other non-green parts have plastids too, but they store substances.
• Only in animal cells. Plastids are found in plant cells.