noun
- specialized organelles in plant cells that contain pigments other than chlorophyll, giving fruits, flowers, and other plant parts their yellow, orange, or red colors
Usage: biology
Examples
- Chromoplasts in tomatoes contain lycopene, which gives the fruit its red color.
- The orange color of carrots comes from carotenoids stored in chromoplasts.
- As autumn leaves change color, chloroplasts convert to chromoplasts.
- Chromoplasts are responsible for the bright yellow petals of sunflowers.
- The red pigments in bell peppers are concentrated in chromoplasts.
- Scientists study chromoplasts to understand how plants produce colorful compounds.