Name one type of cell in a potato plant that does not contain chloroplasts.
How to approach this question
Chloroplasts are needed for photosynthesis, and photosynthesis needs light. Which parts of a plant are not exposed to light and therefore do not need to photosynthesise?
Full Answer
Chloroplasts are only found in the parts of a plant that are exposed to light and carry out photosynthesis, primarily the leaves and sometimes the stem. Parts of the plant that are not exposed to light, such as the roots, do not contain chloroplasts because photosynthesis cannot occur there. A potato is a tuber, which is a swollen underground stem used for storing food (starch). Since it is underground, its cells do not contain chloroplasts. Similarly, root hair cells, which are specialised for absorbing water and minerals from the soil, are also underground and lack chloroplasts.
Common mistakes
✗ Naming a cell type from the leaves, like a palisade cell or guard cell, which are packed with chloroplasts.\n✗ Naming a non-plant cell.
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