In which organelle does photosynthesis occur?

Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, which are specialized organelles found in plant cells and some protists. These organelles contain chlorophyll, the pigment that captures light energy from the sun, and are responsible for converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen in the presence of light. This process is critical for the production of energy in the form of glucose, which serves as a vital source of energy for plants and, ultimately, for other organisms within the food web.

Chloroplasts have their own DNA and can replicate independently of the cell, further highlighting their importance in plant biology and energy production. This makes them distinct from mitochondria, ribosomes, and the nucleus, which serve different functions in cellular processes such as cellular respiration, protein synthesis, and genetic information storage, respectively.