The part of plants that contains structures
needed to absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide is
the Type Text Here
cells inside this structure contain many green
organelles called
Type Text Here
Inside
each of these organelles are stacks of
Type Text Here
that
contain the green pigment
| Type Text Here
absorbs sunlight needed to power the
light dependent reactions of photosynthesis
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The part of plants that contains structures needed to absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide is the leaf. The cells inside this structure contain many green organelles called chloroplasts. Inside each of these organelles are stacks of thylakoids that contain the green pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight needed to power the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
Explanation
Leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis in plants, functioning as the main organ for capturing light energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The structure of a leaf is specifically designed for this purpose, featuring a large surface area that maximizes light absorption. The upper epidermis of the leaf is covered by a waxy cuticle, which helps reduce water loss while allowing light to penetrate.
Within the leaf, chloroplasts are concentrated in the mesophyll layer, particularly in the palisade mesophyll, which is located just beneath the upper epidermis. Chloroplasts contain thylakoids, which are membrane-bound compartments where the light-dependent reactions occur. These thylakoids are organized into stacks called granum (plural: grana), enhancing the efficiency of light capture.
Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in chloroplasts, plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths. This absorbed energy is then converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH during the light-dependent reactions. These energy carriers are subsequently used in the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) to convert CO2 into glucose, providing energy and organic matter essential for plant growth and survival.
In summary, leaves, through their specialized structures—chloroplasts containing thylakoids and chlorophyll—are vital for harnessing light energy, facilitating the essential process of photosynthesis, and contributing to the plant’s overall vitality.