Chloroplasts
Definition
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and some algae that conduct photosynthesis, where they absorb sunlight and use it in conjunction with water and carbon dioxide gas to produce food for the plant.
Analogy
Consider chloroplasts as solar panels on your house roof. They capture sunlight energy (just like solar panels capture solar energy) and convert it into usable energy - glucose (similarly electricity).
Related terms
Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll pigments.
Thylakoid Membrane: A membrane within the chloroplast where light-dependent reactions occur during photosynthesis.
Stroma: The fluid-filled space inside the chloroplast where light-independent reactions occur during photosynthesis.
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