Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

What is the primary function of chloroplasts in plant cells?

1. Cell division

2. Photosynthesis

3. Storage

4. Cellular respiration

The correct answer is: Photosynthesis

Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells that serve the primary function of photosynthesis. This process involves converting light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water as raw materials. The chlorophyll pigment within the chloroplasts captures light energy, which drives the reactions that synthesize glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct. This function is critical for plants, as it provides the energy needed for growth, development, and metabolism, and it also plays an essential role in the ecological balance by contributing oxygen to the atmosphere. Other functions mentioned, such as cell division, storage, and cellular respiration, do not pertain to chloroplasts. Cell division is primarily managed by other components of the cell; storage functions are typically carried out by vacuoles; and cellular respiration primarily occurs in mitochondria, where energy is produced by breaking down glucose. Thus, the focus on photosynthesis highlights the unique and vital role of chloroplasts in plants.