Final answer:
A chloroplast consists of an outer membrane, an inner membrane, thylakoid membranes, stroma, and grana. The thylakoid membrane contains chlorophyll and other pigments and is where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur. The stroma is the fluid-filled space inside the inner membrane and is where the dark reactions of photosynthesis occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
A chloroplast consists of an outer membrane, an inner membrane, thylakoid membranes, stroma, and grana.
- The outer membrane surrounds the entire chloroplast and acts as a barrier between the inner contents of the chloroplast and the cytoplasm of the cell.
- The inner membrane is located inside the outer membrane and helps regulate the movement of substances in and out of the chloroplast.
- The thylakoid membrane is a system of interconnected and stacked fluid-filled membrane sacs called thylakoids. These structures contain chlorophyll and other pigments, and they are where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur.
- The stroma is the fluid-filled space inside the inner membrane surrounding the grana. It is where the dark reactions (also known as the Calvin cycle) of photosynthesis occur.
- A granum is a stack of thylakoids. They are responsible for trapping light and performing the light reactions of photosynthesis.