Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts (/ˈklɔːrəˌplæsts/, from Greek chloros meaning 'green', and plastós meaning 'formed, molded') are organelles that conduct photosynthesis, where the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll captures the energy from sunlight, converts it, and stores it in the energy-storage molecules ATP and NADPH while freeing oxygen from water in plant and algal cells. They are members of a class of organelles known as plastids.
Etymology
The word chloroplast is derived from the Greek words chloros, which means green, and plastós, which means formed or molded. This is a reference to the green color of chloroplasts, which is due to the presence of chlorophyll.
Structure
Chloroplasts are one of several different types of plastids, plant cell organelles that are involved in energy storage and the synthesis of metabolic materials. The structure of a chloroplast is very complex and includes the following components: the outer membrane, the intermembrane space, the inner membrane, the stroma, and the thylakoid system.
Function
Chloroplasts are vital for photosynthesis, which allows plants to absorb energy from light. The function of chloroplasts is to capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy. This process involves the production of ATP and NADPH, which are used in the Calvin cycle to produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chloroplasts
- Wikipedia's article - Chloroplasts
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