Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

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Which organelle is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?

Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus

The correct answer is: Chloroplast

The primary organelle responsible for photosynthesis is the chloroplast. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy from the sun, which is essential for the process of converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process takes place in two stages: the light-dependent reactions, which occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts, and the Calvin cycle, which occurs in the stroma. The use of sunlight to synthesize food is a crucial function of chloroplasts that supports not only plant life but also the life of organisms that depend on plants for oxygen and nutrition. The other organelles mentioned serve distinct functions unrelated to photosynthesis. Mitochondria are key for cellular respiration, breaking down glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP. Lysosomes are responsible for digestion and recycling of cellular waste, not for energy production through photosynthesis. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids but does not play a role in the photosynthetic process. Thus, chloroplasts are uniquely specialized for photosynthesis and play a vital role in the energy flow in ecosystems.