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Biology Question 98 – NEET-UG 2026

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The plastid that stores xanthophyll is known as _______.

Plastids are a diverse group of organelles in plant cells, categorized by the pigments they contain or the substances they store.

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Ninja Strategy•Function-Based Elimination

Quickly eliminate options by recalling the primary storage function of each plastid type mentioned.

Step 1: Understand Plastid Types and Functions✦ Active

Plastids are organelles found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae. They are broadly classified based on their pigments and storage functions:

1. Chloroplasts: Contain chlorophyll and carotenoids, primarily involved in photosynthesis.

2. Chromoplasts: Contain fat-soluble carotenoid pigments (like carotene and xanthophylls), which impart yellow, orange, or red colors to parts of the plant (e.g., petals, fruits).

3. Leucoplasts: Colorless plastids specialized for storing various substances. Examples include amyloplasts (store starch), elaioplasts (store oils and fats), and aleuroplasts (store proteins).

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that leucoplasts are colorless, while chloroplasts and chromoplasts are colored due to pigments.

Step 2: Identify the Plastid for Xanthophyll Storage○ Expand

The question asks for the plastid that stores xanthophyll. Xanthophyll is a yellow pigment belonging to the carotenoid group. Based on the classification, chromoplasts are specifically responsible for synthesizing and storing carotenoid pigments, including xanthophylls.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

The name 'chromo' (meaning color) in chromoplasts is a good clue for their function in storing pigments.

Step 3: Select the Correct Option○ Expand

Therefore, the plastid that stores xanthophyll is the chromoplast.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Differentiate between the storage functions of amyloplasts (starch) and aleuroplasts (proteins).

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