What role do chloroplasts play in plant cells?

Chloroplasts are essential organelles found in plant cells that are primarily responsible for the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, chloroplasts capture light energy, typically from the sun, and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process involves the pigment chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color and absorbs light energy necessary for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

The presence of chloroplasts is a defining characteristic of plant cells, enabling them to produce their own food through photosynthesis, which is a critical process not only for the plants themselves but also for the entire ecosystem, as it is the foundation for the food chain and oxygen production. The other options, such as cellular respiration, protein synthesis, and cell division, involve different cellular organelles and processes that do not specifically pertain to the function of chloroplasts.