Edit page | Page history | Printable version

chloroplasts

noun, singular: chloroplast

Chlorophyll-containing plastids found within the cells of plants and other photosynthetic eukaryotes.

Within these organelles are disk-shaped structures called thylakoids that function as the site of photosynthesis. It is because embedded in the thylakoid membrane is the antenna complex consisting of proteins, and light-absorbing pigments, including chlorophyll (the green pigment) and carotenoids. The chlorophyll is capable of absorbing light energy for use in photosynthesis. The high amounts of chlorophyll give chloroplast a green color, making it easily recognizable from the other plastids.

Word origin: Greek words chloros which means green and plast which means form or entity