Thylakoid

Thylakoids are small, disc-shaped structures inside plant cells, specifically within chloroplasts. They are lined with pigment molecules like chlorophyll that capture sunlight. These structures organize the components necessary for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Think of thylakoids as tiny solar panels that absorb sunlight to produce the energy plants need to grow. They are arranged in stacks called grana, increasing surface area for efficient light capture. Overall, thylakoids play a crucial role in helping plants produce oxygen and sugars from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.