Question

Two students, Renu and Rohit, were having a discussion on the plastids. Renu emphasised that all parts of the plants, even roots, contain plastids. However, Rohit did not agree with the statement and told her that plastids are absent in plant roots since the roots are underground and do not need to perform photosynthesis. Who is correct? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Renu is correct because plastids are found in all parts of a plant, including the roots. Rohit’s error lies in the belief that plastids are only used for photosynthesis. In reality, plastids occur in different forms:

• Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis. They are mainly present in green, sunlight-exposed parts of the plant.
• Leucoplasts are colourless plastids that store nutrients like starch, oils, and proteins. They are found in non-green parts such as roots.

Since roots are underground and do not carry out photosynthesis, they lack chloroplasts but contain leucoplasts for storage. Hence, plastids are indeed present in roots, making Renu’s statement correct.