Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

In which type of cells are chloroplasts typically found?

1. Animal cells

2. Bacterial cells

3. Plant cells

4. Fungal cells

The correct answer is: Plant cells

Chloroplasts are specialized organelles primarily found in plant cells, where they play a crucial role in photosynthesis. These organelles contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color of plants and the absorption of light energy, which is then converted into chemical energy in the form of glucose. In plant cells, chloroplasts enable the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into sugars and oxygen, using sunlight. This process is fundamental to the survival of the plant and also contributes to the oxygen supply in the atmosphere, which is essential for most life forms on Earth. While animal cells and fungal cells do not contain chloroplasts as they do not perform photosynthesis, some bacteria may have structures that perform similar functions. However, true chloroplasts are characteristic of plant cells and certain protists, reinforcing the idea that photosynthesis is predominantly associated with these types of cells. Therefore, identifying plant cells as the correct answer underscores the unique ability of these cells to harness solar energy and produce organic compounds through the process of photosynthesis.