Chloroplasts are small functioning structures within plant and algae cells, which contain chlorophyll and other pigments and conduct photosynthesis. Chloroplasts are unique to plants and algae and are what give them their green colour. They do not make up entire cells within the plant or algae, but they are found within plant or algae cells. The small functioning parts within a cell are called organelles. Chloroplasts are a type of organelle.
Chloroplasts absorb sunlight and use it together with carbon dioxide and water to form sugars which the plant or algae uses as food. Chloroplasts are usually disk-shaped in plants and have the ability to reorient their position within a cell to change their exposure to sunlight. As well as being important in making sugars, chloroplasts can also produce fats, oils, scents and proteins.
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