Editorial, J Plant Physiol Pathol Vol: 9 Issue: 10

A Note on Chloroplasts

Shujian Zhang^*

Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, USA

*Corresponding Author:

Shujian Zhang
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, USA
E-mail: Shujian.zhang@yahoo.com

Received Date: October 01, 2021; Accepted Date: October 08, 2021; Published Date: October 15, 2021

Citation: Zhang S (2021) A Note on Chloroplasts. J Plant Physiol Pathol 9:10. 270.

Copyright: © All articles published in Journal of Plant Physiology & Pathology are the property of SciTechnol, and is protected by copyright laws. Copyright © 2020, SciTechnol, All Rights Reserved.

Keywords: Chloroplasts

The organelle located within the cell of plants and other photosynthetic eukaryotes that is filled with the green pigment chlorophyll is referred to as a chloroplast in biology. From the Greek “chloros,” this means “green,” and “plast,” which means “shape” or “thing??” Chloroplastid, green plastid, and chloroleucite are all synonyms for chloroplastid. The presence of chloroplasts in a eukaryote suggests that it has the ability to create its own sustenance. Photosynthesis is how it accomplishes this. A close examination of their cells reveals a plethora of chloroplasts dispersed throughout the cytoplasm (see leaf anatomy picture below). Each chloroplast has a chlorophyll-based light-harvesting mechanism. The blue and red wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum are absorbed by these green pigments. They, on the other hand, reflect the green spectrum. It is because of this that plants are green. Animal cells, on the other hand, lack chloroplasts. Apart from the existence of a cell wall (a cellulose-based layer that accounts for cell stiffness in plants), the presence of chloroplasts is another distinguishing feature that could aid in distinguishing plants from animals. Eukaryotic algae, such as green algae, are other creatures that have chloroplasts. Some photosynthetic bacteria (such as phototrophs and cyanobacteria) have chlorophyll in their cells. Their chlorophylls, on the other hand, will not be located inside a double-membraned organelle like the chloroplast. Rather, the chlorophyll pigments are found in the bacterial cell’s thylakoid membrane.

Chloroplast properties

A photosynthetic eukaryotic cell’s chloroplast is one of its organelles. It’s a kind of plastid (the other types are chromoplasts and leucoplasts). The colour, shape, structure, and function of chloroplasts distinguish them from other plastids. The chloroplasts are green due to the presence of chlorophyll pigments. Chlorophyll a and b are the two most frequent kinds. Chlorophyll c, d, and f are other chlorophyll pigments. All chloroplasts contain chlorophyll a, however the other kinds are present (in various concentrations) depending on the species. The shape resembles a lens or a disc in vascular plants, and the size is around 5m long and 2.5m wide.

Chloroplast’s structure

There are at least three membrane systems in the chloroplast: an exterior membrane, an inner membrane, and a thylakoid system. The double membrane system, which is a common feature of organelles, consists of the outer and inner membranes. The thylakoids are disk-shaped structures that harvest or collect photons from a light source, such as sunlight. The antenna complex, which is made up of proteins and light-absorbing pigments including chlorophyll and carotenoids, is embedded in the thylakoid membrane. As a result, the thylakoid’s role is to provide a location for photosynthesis’ light reactions. Granum is the name given to a stack of thylakoids that resembles a stack of coins (plural: grana). It’s the viscous liquid that fills the space between the grana. There are enzymes, chemicals, and ions in it. It is here where the sugar production process, which is light-independent, takes place (the dark reactions of photosynthesis).

Functions of the chloroplast

Photosynthesis is carried out by chloroplasts. Their primary function is to act as a catalyst for light and dark processes. Inorganic substances, water, and light energy are transformed into food, i.e. glucose, by these organelles (a sugar molecule). They are so necessary to photosynthetic species in order for them to be able to produce food on their own and not rely on other organisms for survival. Because one of the consequences of photosynthesis is oxygen, the chloroplasts are an important site for creating this gas, which is then discharged from the cell into the environment. Oxygen is biologically significant because of its function in a variety of biochemical and physiological processes that occur in animals.