What organelle is the site of photosynthesis and contains chlorophyll?

The chloroplast is the organelle responsible for photosynthesis, a process that converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Within chloroplasts, chlorophyll is a pigment that captures light energy, primarily from the sun, and is crucial for the photosynthesis process. This pigment gives plants their green color and plays a vital role in absorbing the specific wavelengths of light needed for photosynthesis.

The presence of chloroplasts in plant cells enables them to produce their own food, making them autotrophic organisms. In contrast, other organelles listed do not have the same role: mitochondria are involved in cellular respiration, ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, and the nucleus contains genetic material but does not participate in photosynthesis. Understanding the specific functions of these organelles highlights the unique role chloroplasts play in energy conversion for plant cells.