Where does photosynthesis occur in plant cells?

Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, which are specialized organelles found in the cells of plants and some algae. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy from the sun. This light energy is then utilized to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through a series of complex chemical reactions. The structure of chloroplasts is designed to maximize this process, featuring thylakoids that house the photosynthetic machinery and a stroma that contains enzymes necessary for the synthesis of glucose.

The other options do not serve the function of photosynthesis: mitochondria are involved in cellular respiration, the cytoplasm is where many cellular processes occur but does not carry out photosynthesis, and the nucleus contains the genetic material but is not involved in the photosynthetic process. Thus, chloroplasts are uniquely suited to perform photosynthesis, making them essential for plant life and vital for converting solar energy into a usable form of chemical energy.