Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells and some algae, responsible for photosynthesis. They contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy, enabling the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. Chloroplasts also have their own DNA and replicate independently within the cell. Additionally, they play a role in various metabolic processes beyond photosynthesis, such as fatty acid synthesis and amino acid production.