Which organelle is the site of photosynthesis and is found only in plant cells?

The chloroplast is specifically designed for the process of photosynthesis, which is essential for converting light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This organelle contains a green pigment called chlorophyll, which captures sunlight and plays a crucial role in the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water.

Chloroplasts are unique to plant cells and certain algae, distinguishing them from other organelles like lysosomes, which are involved in digestion, peroxisomes, which have roles in metabolism and detoxification, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which is primarily associated with protein synthesis and modification. The specialization of chloroplasts for photosynthesis is crucial for the survival of plants as they produce not only their own energy but also oxygen, contributing significantly to the Earth's atmosphere and supporting life for other organisms.