Chloroplasts In Cytoplasm: 5 Facts You Should Know

Chloroplast is a type of plastid found in cytoplasm of plant and algae cells. Here, we are going to discuss chloroplasts in cytoplasm and some related facts about it.

Chloroplast is a membrane bound green coloured plastid organelle of a cell having chlorophyll pigments as its primary component. Through the help of chlorophyll, chloroplasts absorb energy from sunlight, converting it into stable biochemical energy and actively synthesising food for the plant.

Chloroplasts in cytoplasm are considered descendants of cyanobacterial endosymbiont. Chloroplasts have their ribosomes and DNA, which determines they could be capable of living freely. 

Let us see if chloroplast is a cytoplasmic organelle, where it is located in cytoplasm and many more questions in this article.

Is chloroplast a cytoplasmic organelle?

In cytoplasm certain subcellular structures called organelles are found, having specific functions in cells. Let us see if chloroplast is a cytoplasmic organelle or not.

Chloroplast is a cytoplasmic organelle found in plant and algal cells. In eukaryotic cell, there is a cell organelle found, called plastid. Chloroplast is none other than a type of plastid containing chlorophyll in it. Hence, chloroplast is also considered as a cytoplasmic organelle of a cell.

Chloroplasts in cytoplasm
Chloroplasts in cytoplasm from Wikimedia commons

Where are chloroplasts found in cytoplasm?

Chloroplasts are cell organelles primarily associated with photosynthesis process of plant and algae cells. Let us know where chloroplasts are found in the cytoplasm.

Chloroplasts are found scattered within the cytoplasmic matrix of eukaryotic plant and green algal cells. In the plant body, chloroplast is only present in the mesophyll layer of cells present in leaves. In case of algae, chloroplasts are only found in the cells of green algae or chlorophyta.

How does chloroplast work in cytoplasm?

Chloroplast is the primary site where photosynthesis of cells takes place. Let us find out how it works in cytoplasm.

Listed below are steps that shows the mechanism of chloroplast in cytoplasm:

Light dependent reaction

  • In chloroplast, chlorophyll is the main component involved in photosynthesis.
  •  At the beginning of the process, chlorophyll absorbs the light energy from sunlight and gathers in the photosystem.
  • After that, chloroplast uses water (H2O) and undergoes photophosphorylation.
  • Following the photophosphorylation and two electron transport chain it produces energy carriers ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

2H2O + 2NADP+ + 3ADP + 3Pi → O2 + 2NADPH + 3ATP

Light independent reaction

  • Following the light dependent reactions, in the next part, carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is absorbed from the environment.
  • Subsequently, the produced ATP and NADPH actively take part and convert the six molecules of carbon dioxide into one Glucose molecule.
  • After that reaction oxygen is released as a by-product.

3CO2 + 6 NADPH + 5H2O + 9ATP → G3P + 2H+ + 6 NADP+ + 9 ADP + 8 Pi

So this is the whole process through which chloroplasts work in the cytoplasm.

Difference between chloroplasts and cytoplasm?

Chloroplast remains embedded in the cytoplasm, performing different cellular functions. Let us find out the differences between the chloroplasts and cytoplasm.

CharacteristicsChloroplastCytoplasm
DefinitionChloroplast is a membrane bound cytoplasmic cell organelle primarily associated with the photosynthesis of plant and algal cells. Cytoplasm is the matrix part of the cell that remains surrounded by the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane, it holds all other cell components and provides the cell with a proper shape.
StructureChloroplast is an oval lens-shaped cell organelle generally 3–10 μm in diameter. It is a semifluid gel-like substance enclosed within the cell membrane.
ComponentsThe main components of chloroplasts are- the outer and inner membrane system, intermembrane space, stroma, thylakoid system, Grana, chlorophyll, etc.The main components of cytoplasm are- cytosol, cell organelles such as ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, ER, mitochondria, etc and cytoplasmic inclusions such as cytoskeleton.
Presence of pigment elementsChloroplast contains pigment elements chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, chlorophyll-c, etc.Cytoplasm does not contain any pigment materials mostly.
Presence of DNAChloroplasts do not have a nucleus but contain a free extranuclear circular DNA within it.Cytoplasm surrounds the nucleus of the cell containing the genetic material Or DNA in it.
Presence of RibosomesThough chloroplasts are found in eukaryotic plant and algal cells, it contains a prokaryotic type of 70S ribosomes (having 50S large and 30S small subunits) in their structure.In eukaryotic cells, cytoplasm contains primitive 70S Ribosomes ( having 50S large and 30S small subunits) and in eukaryotic cells, cytoplasm contains 80S ribosomes (having 80S large and 40S small subunits).
FunctionThe main function of chloroplast is to facilitate photosynthesis in plant and algal cells.The main function of cytoplasm is to hold all other cell components within it and provide the cell with a proper shape.
Synthesis of GlucoseChloroplasts actively take part in the production of glucose in cells. This glucose is actually the food of the plant body.Cytoplasm does not produce glucose in it but it contains chloroplast as cell organelles which are responsible for glucose synthesis. 
ATP productionAt the time of light reaction, chloroplast is also directly associated with the production of ATP molecules by photophosphorylation.Cytoplasm itself does not produce ATP molecules but it contains mitochondria where through Oxidative phosphorylation ATP molecules are produced and also contains chloroplast which directly produces ATP molecules through photophosphorylation.
Found inChloroplast is only found in eukaryotic plants and green algal cells.Cytoplasm is found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Difference between chloroplasts and cytoplasm

Conclusion

As a whole, we can say that chloroplasts in cytoplasm plays a very significant role in photosynthesis. Here, we differentiate chloroplast from cytoplasm, and also discuss some most common facts related to chloroplasts in cytoplasm. Hope it will be helpful to you.

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