Term for certain cellular structures that belong to the plastid group and occur exclusively in plant cells (Greek chloros = green, plastos = moulded). They are considered to be descendants of independent, photosynthetically active bacteria that were incorporated into plant precursor cells in the course of endosymbiosis. This is indicated by their own DNA and similarities in structure, size and function.
Their main task is to carry out photosynthesis. In this process, energy-rich organic compounds, especially sugars, are produced from water and carbon dioxide with the help of sunlight. Chloroplasts contain the green colour pigment chlorophyll, which is responsible for absorbing sunlight. This process is the functional counterpart to cellular respiration in the mitochondria. The genetic information required for this is stored in the so-called plastid DNA, which is a component of the chloroplasts.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden