National League for Nursing (NLN) Science Practice Exam

What color would an organism containing chloroplasts most likely be?

1. Orange

2. Brown

3. Yellow

4. Green

The correct answer is: Green

An organism containing chloroplasts would most likely be green because chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants and some algae. These organelles contain pigments, the most prevalent of which is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll reflects green light while absorbing other wavelengths, particularly red and blue light. This selective absorption of light contributes to the green appearance of plants and organisms rich in chloroplasts. In contrast, options such as orange, brown, or yellow might represent other plant pigments, such as carotenoids or anthocyanins. These pigments can contribute to the coloration of plants but do not imply the presence of chloroplasts where photosynthesis occurs. This is why green is the most accurate answer when considering organisms specifically containing chloroplasts.