The word "chloroplasts" is spelled with a "ch" followed by a "l" and an "o" in the beginning. These three letters combine to make a sound similar to the "k" sound in "key," which is represented in phonetic transcription as /kl/. The middle part of the word contains an "or" sound, which is represented as /ɔr/. Finally, the word ends with the "pl" sound, which is represented as /pl/. "Chloroplasts" refer to the organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts are organelles found in the cells of plants and some other organisms, such as algae. They are responsible for carrying out photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy to fuel their growth and survival. Chloroplasts are the primary sites of photosynthesis and play a crucial role in the production of organic molecules, such as glucose, that serve as a source of energy for the rest of the plant.
In terms of structure, chloroplasts are typically disc-shaped and contain an inner and outer membrane, with a space called the intermembrane space in between. The inner membrane surrounds the stroma, a liquid-filled space that contains various enzymes and molecules involved in the photosynthetic process. Within the stroma, there are numerous flattened sac-like structures called thylakoids, which are arranged in stacks called grana. The thylakoids are where the pigments responsible for capturing light energy, such as chlorophyll, are located.
During photosynthesis, chloroplasts absorb sunlight and use its energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions, which occur in the thylakoid membranes and involve the production of chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, and the light-independent reactions (also known as the Calvin cycle), which occur in the stroma and involve the conversion of carbon dioxide into glucose using the energy stored in ATP and NADPH.
In summary, chloroplasts are specialized organelles that allow plants and some other organisms to capture and convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, which is vital for their growth and survival.
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The term "chloroplasts" is derived from Greek. It combines two root words: "chloros" meaning "green" and "plastós" meaning "formed" or "molded". Therefore, "chloroplasts" literally translates to "green form" or "green molded", which accurately describes their function as the organelles responsible for photosynthesis in green plants.