What does Chloroplast do for Plants?

Plant life is very important to our world. Without plants there would be no air, no food and no homes for many plant species. Plants do so much for our world. So, it’s very important that we understand what they are and what they do. One way that we can understand plants is by knowing how they function. This is why we should learn about chloroplast. Keep in mind that chloroplast is not only found in plant life but in algae as well. Keep reading to discover what chloroplast is and how it helps plants to grow and thrive. 

How do plants make food? 

Plants make their own food from the sun through the process of photosynthesis. However, they need certain things to make their own food. Plants must have chlorophyll, light, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients. The chlorophyll is a green pigment in plants. Chlorophyll traps the sunlight’s energy. It then combines the element such as carbon dioxide, water and nutrients into a food substance for plants to consume. This process is called photosynthesis and chlorophyll is critical to this process. 

Chloroplasts are also a part of the photosynthesis process. They are organelles that are contained within the plant’s cells. Chloroplast are important for absorbing sunlight and they also play a role with transforming the elements of water and carbon dioxide into food. 

What is the difference between chloroplast and chlorophyll? 

Chlorophyll is just a green substance that is found in plants. Once again, it is needed to trap the sunlight so that photosynthesis can take place. Chloroplast is a plant organelle which is a specialized part of a cell. In the case of a plant, the organelle known as chloroplast is where the photosynthesis process takes place. The chloroplast contains the chlorophyll that is needed to make the photosynthesis process work. The chloroplast is also a membrane. 

Do humans and animals have chloroplasts? 

No, humans or animals do not have chloroplasts. That is because humans and animals do not need direct sunlight to make food. Instead, they ingest or consume their food from other sources. Most plants just don’t consume other organisms for food. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Some plant species do digest other living things such as insects. Still, these organisms need the photosynthesis process to make food as well. 

What are the functions of chloroplast? 

We already discovered that chloroplasts are the food producers for plant life. Now, we’ll take a look at how these organelles perform other functions that are important to the life of plants. Chloroplast make metabolic energy. They also are developed through the process of endosymbiosis. They even have their genetic systems and they produce themselves through the procedure of cell division. 

Chloroplasts also have the ability to synthesize amino acids, fatty acids and lipid components. They typically do this inside of their membrane as well. This organelle also converts nitrite into ammonia for the purpose of including nitrogen into organic compounds that the plant can use. 

Chloroplast doesn’t just make food for plants it also creates oxygen. As you all know, humans, animals and other types of creatures on the planet need oxygen to live. During photosynthesis carbon dioxide is taken in through chloroplast controlled photosynthetic processes. Once the process is complete, one of the waste materials from this procedure is oxygen. 

Oxygen is actually produced through the chemical reaction when the photosynthesis process takes place. It leaves a plant through its leaves and its then circulated into the air. Keep in mind that plants will grow very well when they have lots of sunlight, water and good soil. These elements are essential to growing lots of food or even super-sized crops. 

Chloroplasts also have the ability to move around a leaf to align themselves with the direction of the sun. Have you ever noticed how plants will usually grow or “move” toward the direction of the sun? Part of this movement happens because chloroplasts are trying to get the best position to take in the most sun. 

Remember, the more light that a plant receives, the more food it can create. So, it is not unusual to see plants repositioning themselves for more light. The chloroplast makes sure that this happens. In closing, chloroplast is an important part of a plant’s system that allows this life form to grow and thrive within its environment.