chromoplasta

Chromoplasta is a term that appears in some botanical writings to describe pigment-containing plastids responsible for the vivid colors of many plant tissues. In modern mainstream botany, the organelles are typically called chromoplasts; chromoplasta is thus largely a historical or synonymic designation rather than a distinct class in current classifications. The term derives from Greek chróma “color” and plastos “formed.”

Chromoplasts are non-photosynthetic plastids derived from proplastids such as chloroplasts. They accumulate carotenoid pigments, including carotene and lycopene, which give yellow, orange, and red hues to fruits, flowers, and other tissues. They may contain lipid-rich plastoglobules and carotenoid-sequestering structures; while primarily non-photosynthetic, some chromoplasts retain residual photosynthetic activity in certain species.

Development of chromoplasts often involves a transformation from chloroplasts during fruit ripening or flower development, characterized by downregulation of chlorophyll and upregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis, though the exact pathways vary. This transformation supports attraction of pollinators or seed dispersers and can interact with stress responses and aging processes.

Chromoplasts are widespread in land plants and are observed in a variety of tissues, including peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and many petals. They play a central role in tissue coloration, nutritional quality through carotenoid content, and ecological interactions. Research on chromoplasts contributes to understanding pigment biosynthesis, plant development, and agricultural quality.

See also: chromoplast, plastid.