Final answer:
Chlorophyll within chloroplasts captures light energy during photosynthesis, converts it into chemical energy, and ultimately helps produce sugars/carbohydrates and oxygen for the plant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of chlorophyll in a chloroplast is to capture light energy during photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs the energy of a photon, which is essential for the light reactions of photosynthesis. These reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast, where chlorophyll is located. Once the light energy is absorbed, it is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. These energy carriers are then utilized in the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide into sugars/carbohydrates, which serve as an important energy source for the plant and other organisms that consume the plant. Additionally, during the light reactions, water is split to release oxygen as a byproduct.