The chloroplast is known as the carbohydrate factory of the cell.
Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and some algae. They are responsible for photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates. This process occurs in two main stages:
* **Light-dependent reactions:** These reactions capture light energy and use it to split water molecules, releasing oxygen and generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).
* **Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle):** These reactions use the ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, a simple sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for most organisms.The glucose produced in the chloroplast can be used directly by the plant cell or stored as starch for later use.
Chloroplasts are essential for life on Earth, as they are the primary producers of organic compounds that form the basis of all food chains.
