Structural organization of chloroplast is signified by the presence of double membrane envelope and soluble phase, the stroma, and an internal membrane system, the thylakoids. Both thylakoid and stromal systems are committed for light reaction and carbon dioxide fixation respectively. Chloroplast attains diversified shapes. Higher plants exhibit lens shaped chloroplasts in their cytosol. The size measures anywhere between 5 and [...]
In this article we will discuss about the ultrastructure and functions of chloroplasts in the cytoplasm. Ultrastructure of Chloroplast: Chloroplasts of higher plants have disc-shaped or oval structure, 10 µm in length and 2-4 µm in diameter. Algal species contain larger chloroplasts of different shapes, e.g., spiral, cup-shaped, circular bands. The number of chloroplasts per cell is one to two [...]
Chloroplasts are organelles found in the green tissues of plants and are responsible for the absorption of light energy, the synthesis of carbohydrates, and the evolution of molecular oxygen. The sum of these three processes is called photosynthesis. Light energy captured by the chloroplast is converted into potential chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates and starts the "energy chain" [...]