ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Amyloplast

An amyloplast is like a tiny little factory inside a plant cell that makes a special molecule called starch. Starch is a kind of sugar that plants use to store energy for later. When the plant needs energy, it can break down the starch and turn it into a kind of sugar that it can use right away.

The amyloplast is made up of lots of different parts called organelles. These organelles all work together to make the starch molecule. Some of the organelles store the ingredients that the amyloplast needs to make starch, while others mix and combine the ingredients to create the final product.

Amyloplasts are found in lots of different kinds of plant cells, from the leaves to the roots to the seeds. Some plants, like potatoes, have lots of amyloplasts in their cells because they need to store a lot of starch for later use. Other plants, like wheat or corn, use amyloplasts to make the starch that they need to grow and develop.

Overall, the amyloplast is a really important part of a plant's survival. By making and storing starch, it helps the plant to have the energy it needs to survive and grow, even when conditions are tough.