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In which organelle does photosynthesis take place in plant cells?
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Nucleus
Ribosome
The correct answer is: Chloroplast
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, the organelles that contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy. During photosynthesis, chloroplasts convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight as the energy source. This process is vital for plants, as it provides them with the glucose necessary for energy and growth, and it also releases oxygen into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, involved in cellular respiration—a process that generates ATP (adenosine triphosphate) by breaking down glucose. While mitochondria play a crucial role in energy production, they do not participate in photosynthesis. The nucleus is the control center of the cell that houses the genetic material (DNA) and is involved in processes like transcription and regulation of the cell cycle. It does not have a role in photosynthesis. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into proteins based on the instructions encoded in messenger RNA. They do not have a part in the process of photosynthesis either. Thus, the chloroplast is the only organelle directly involved in photosynthesis, highlighting its specific function within plant cells.