Small bodies in the cytoplasm of the cell. Name, types and purposes

Today, we will learn what the small bodies called in the cytoplasm of the cell are called. Also we suggest you to highlight their purpose and varieties. So, the small bodies that are in the cytoplasm of the cell are called plastids. They are the constituent parts of the cell. Plastids are very important, their role is no less important than other cell organelles.

As for the cell, it is the structural unit of everything that surrounds us. All living things, and even man himself, is a "designer" created with the help of cells. They are very small, it is simply impossible to consider them with the naked eye. The first acquaintance with the cell and its organelles is still in high school, while students are invited to work with a microscope for the first time. So, we turn to our main question.

Plastids

We already said in the preface that the small bodies that are in the cytoplasm of the cell are plastids. They are very important plant cell organelles. They can be found in autotrophic plants. It is important to mention that plastids have:

• DNA;
• RNA;
• Structure for protein synthesis.

Proceeding from the foregoing, we can identify the main function of plastids. It is not difficult to guess that this is a synthesis of organic substances. As for the species, the following are distinguished:

• Chloroplasts;
• Chromoplast;
• Leykoplasty;
• Chromatophores (in algae).

All of them have a different purpose and color, since in each separate form there is a specific pigment. Let's fix and make a small conclusion: the small bodies, which are in the cytoplasm of the cell, are plastids. All of them have a complex structure and are divided into four classes (by color and function). The main function of each species is the synthesis of organic substances.

Chloroplasts

Green small bodies that are in the cytoplasm of the cell are chloroplasts. Their color is directly dependent on chlorophyll, a pigment located in the plastid. Another pigment is called a carotenoid, which has an orange color. It is also important to note that their sizes are very small, on the basis of this, chloroplasts in the leaf cell can be more than twenty. We indicated that algae have plastids called chromatophores, and so, they differ in their larger sizes, there may be only 2 of them in the cell.

Here we must also note the main function of chloroplasts, which consists in the realization of photosynthesis.

Chromoplast

So, the small bodies that are in the cytoplasm of the cell are called plastids. We have already identified the main types, now we offer a brief review of chromoplasts. They can be of several colors:

• Yellow;
• Orange;
• Red.

We can find them not only in leaves, but also in fruits or petals. The structure of chromoplasts does not differ from the structure of other plastids. Matrix contains a protein base, DNA and pigments.

The main function is to attract the attention of insects and animals that eat fruits, as chromoplasts color the fruits and flowers in bright colors.

Leukoplast

It is important to understand that plastids can move from one form to another. So, the leukoplast is a kind of ancestor of chloroplasts. Surely, all the houses have plants. If they have poor lighting, then the color of the leaves is pale yellow. This is due to the fact that leukoplasts are present in the cells of these plants. If you put the plant in the light, the leukoplasts are transformed into chloroplasts, then the plant will acquire a saturated green color.