What organelle is responsible for energy production in plant cells?

The correct answer is chloroplasts because they are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells. During this process, chloroplasts capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which is then used by the plant as an energy source. This ability to produce energy from sunlight is a fundamental characteristic of plant cells that distinguishes them from animal cells.

Mitochondria, while also involved in energy production, primarily function in cellular respiration, turning glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to fuel the cell's activities, but this process relies on the glucose generated by chloroplasts. The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material and regulates cellular activities but does not produce energy. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, not energy production. The unique function of chloroplasts highlights their essential role in both energy production and the overall metabolism of plant cells.