Question

Though the morphology of this organelle varies based on what kind it is (e.g. chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts), its responsibility remains the same—to manufacture and store carbohydrates

True or False

Answer 1

The statement is false; while plastids such as chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and leucoplasts have varied morphologies, their functions differ: chloroplasts facilitate photosynthesis, chromoplasts store pigments, and leucoplasts store starches and oils.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the morphology of plastids may vary but their responsibility—to manufacture and store carbohydrates—remains the same, is false. Plastids, including chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and leucoplasts, have distinct functions in plant cells.

Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, capturing light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, which serves as food for the plant. In addition to glucose, oxygen is also produced as a byproduct. Chromoplasts produce and store pigments that give flowers and fruits their vibrant colors. Meanwhile, leucoplasts are primarily involved in the storage of starches, oils, and proteins.

All these plastids evolved from an ancestral cell that engulfed a photosynthetic cyanobacterium, which is why they contain their own DNA and ribosomes. However, their roles in the plant cell differ significantly, illustrating the concept in biology that form and function are closely linked.