Chloroplasts belong to a group of organelles called plastids. Although different types of plastid have different structures and functions, one type of plastid can change into another type of plastid in response to environmental or developmental signals.

• Example 1: plants grown in the dark have plastids called etioplasts which lack chlorophyll. If these plants are exposed to light, the etioplasts quickly change into chloroplasts.
• Example 2: chloroplasts in surface tissues of tomato fruits change into plastids called chromoplasts as the fruits ripen. Thylakoid membranes break down and chlorophyll synthesis stops. Chromoplasts synthesise and accumulate red lycopene and orange ẞ-carotene pigments.

Q: What topic does this question test?

This question tests Photosynthesis in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 9 marks.

Q: Which exam paper is this question from?

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology May/June 2017 examination, Paper 4 Variant 2 (9700_s17_qp_42.pdf).

Question

Chloroplasts belong to a group of organelles called plastids. Although different types of plastid have different structures and functions, one type of plastid can change into another type of plastid in response to environmental or developmental signals.

• Example 1: plants grown in the dark have plastids called etioplasts which lack chlorophyll. If these plants are exposed to light, the etioplasts quickly change into chloroplasts.
• Example 2: chloroplasts in surface tissues of tomato fruits change into plastids called chromoplasts as the fruits ripen. Thylakoid membranes break down and chlorophyll synthesis stops. Chromoplasts synthesise and accumulate red lycopene and orange ẞ-carotene pigments.

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