Chloroplasts

Definition

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conduct photosynthesis. They convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose through the process of photosynthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chloroplasts contain their own DNA, separate from the nuclear DNA of the cell.
2. They have a double membrane structure, with an inner and outer membrane.
3. The internal fluid-filled space of the chloroplast is called the stroma, which contains enzymes for the Calvin cycle.
4. Thylakoids within chloroplasts are stacked into structures called grana where light-dependent reactions occur.
5. Chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for capturing light energy, is located within the thylakoid membranes.

Review Questions

• What role do chloroplasts play in plant cells?
• Where is chlorophyll located within the chloroplast?
• What is the significance of chloroplasts having their own DNA?

Related terms

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Mitochondria:

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell that generate ATP through cellular respiration.

Thylakoid: A membrane-bound compartment inside chloroplasts where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place.