What is the function of chloroplasts in plant cells?

Chloroplasts are essential organelles found in plant cells that primarily function in photosynthesis. During this process, chloroplasts capture light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy stored in glucose, which serves as food for the plant. This conversion involves the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which is crucial for absorbing sunlight and facilitating this energy transformation.

The other choices present functions that are either not related to chloroplasts or pertain to different organelles. For example, cellular respiration, which produces energy, occurs in mitochondria, not chloroplasts. Waste storage is typically managed by vacuoles, while structural support is provided by the cell wall and cytoskeleton rather than the chloroplasts. Thus, the function of chloroplasts is specifically tied to the process of photosynthesis, making it the correct choice.