Chromoplasts (chromos means color) are plant organelles in which photosynthesis takes place. In contrast to chloroplasts where chlorophyll is the dominating pigment, chromoplasts contain many carotenoids that are responsible for the yellow-orange and red color of citrus fruits, but also red peppers, tomatoes and many sepals of flowers. Chromoplasts may arise directly from proplastids, like in carrot roots, or indirectly from chloroplasts like in mandarin and other ripening fruit. |