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Glite Dictionary
chromoplast

chromoplast

1 9.9
A part of a plant cell that contains red, orange, or yellow pigments and gives color to fruits and flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈkroʊməˌplæst/
  • Specialized
: cromoplasto
  • Yellow, orange, or red pigmentation, as seen in oranges and tomatoes, arises from the conversion of chloroplasts to chromoplasts.

Examples

  • In ripe tomatoes, chromoplasts develop to produce their characteristic red color.

  • The bright orange color of carrots is due to the presence of chromoplasts in their cells.

  • Many flowers display vivid hues that come from chromoplasts, enhancing their beauty.

Surface Forms

chromoplast singular
chromoplasts plural

Morphology

chromoplast = chromo + plast

The parts are specialized scientific combining forms (chromo- 'color', -plast 'form/structure') that are not recognizable as independent everyday English words to a B1 learner, so the meaning is not derivable from common base words.

Etymology

Chromoplast joins chromo- 'color' and -plast 'to form', the same root you see in plastic. So a chromoplast is a 'color-formed' part of a plant cell that holds pigments and gives fruits and flowers bright colors.