Chloroplast DNA

Chloroplast DNA is the genetic material found inside chloroplasts, the special structures in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis. Unlike the DNA in the nucleus, chloroplast DNA is circular and carries genes that directly control the process of converting sunlight into energy and making essential compounds. This DNA allows chloroplasts to replicate and function independently to some extent, ensuring plants efficiently produce food and oxygen. Understanding chloroplast DNA helps scientists study plant growth, evolution, and how plants adapt to their environment.