What is the term for a yellowish-green coloration in normally green tissues such as leaves?

• A. Anthocyanin accumulation
• B. Necrosis
• C. Chlorosis
• D. Wilting

Answer: (C)

Chlorosis is the yellowing of tissue that is normally green because chlorophyll content is reduced. This happens when the plant can’t produce enough chlorophyll or it’s degraded due to nutrient deficiencies (often iron or magnesium), poor soil conditions, root damage, or disease. Because chlorophyll gives leaves their green color, losing it makes the leaf appear yellow. Sometimes you'll see interveinal chlorosis, where the areas between the veins turn yellow while the veins stay green, hinting at specific mineral deficiencies. This is different from anthocyanin accumulation, which adds red or purple pigments; necrosis, which is dead tissue, and wilting, which is drooping from water stress.