Chloroplast

Chloroplast's are so important. They are found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conduct photosynthesis. Indirectly, they help us as humans survive since the plants that conduct photosynthesis which converts the suns energy to other forms. The chloroplast's absorb the sun's light and energy and combine that energy with water and carbon dioxide to undergo photosynthesis. They convert the light energy to chemical energy. This process provides the plant with food for the organism. The chloroplast is very similar to the mitochondria, but are found only in plant cells. The chloroplast contains chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis and causes the green color in most plants. Other functions of the chloroplast include storing energy, fighting off diseases, and making amino acids for the cell. The chloroplast is surrounded by a double celled composite membrane that has a inter-membrane space. It also has it's own DNA and many infoldings that fill the space inside the organelle. Without the chloroplast, human life would most likely cease to exist because there would be no way to convert/harness the suns energy. It truly is the energy factory in the plant cells. 

                                        


A disease that is associated with the chloroplast includes the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). It can affect over 350 species of plants. The virus itself is small, rigid, and rod-like. It causes the protein coat to fall away and nucleic acid portion and makes the plant cell produce more virus nucleic acid and virus protein. This process disrupts the cell and its process of photosynthesis. Some of the symptoms plants will show when infected by TMV include smaller plant growth, a pattern of different yellow and greens on the leaves, yellow streaking or spotting on the leaves, and also yellowing of the veins on the plants. This disease is associated with the chloroplast because it can affect plant cells where the chloroplast is found and can disrupt the photosynthesis process which is the main function of the chloroplast.
                                       

Fun facts about the chloroplast:

• Only one or two chloroplasts will be found in simple cells like algae, but there will be hundreds in more complex plant cells
• Chloroplasts have the ability to move around inside the cell to position themselves to where they can best absorb sunlight
• There are around 500,000 chloroplasts in a single square millimeter of a leaf
• There is more than one type of chlorophyll- Chlorophyll A is common and is green. Chlorophyll C is more golden or brownish 

I would want to be the chloroplast over other organelles because of how important they are to life. They provide plants with food and since they conduct photosynthesis, help provide humans and other organisms with energy. They are the only organelle that can convert the suns light energy to usable chemical energy. That is a pretty amazing and important thing to be able to do.