Final answer:
The white parts of a plant reflect all colors of light falling on them, which is why they appear white, as opposed to green areas where chlorophyll reflects green light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The white parts of a plant can appear so because they reflect all colors of light falling on them. Light contains all colors of the visible spectrum, and substances we perceive as white are typically reflecting most of that light back to our eyes rather than absorbing it. This is the opposite of what happens in the green parts of plants, where the pigment chlorophyll absorbs blue and red wavelengths of light but reflects green, which is why leaves appear green.
Additionally, the microscopic structures in plant cells, such as cell walls and air spaces, can contribute to the scattering of light, further enhancing the overall reflection and giving the plant a white appearance. These structural features play a role in determining the optical properties of different plant tissues.