Which component is found in plant cells but not in animal cells?

Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells that play a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. This energy is essential for the plant’s growth and development as it allows them to produce their food in the form of glucose. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy.

In contrast, animal cells do not have chloroplasts because they do not perform photosynthesis; instead, they obtain energy from the consumption of food. This fundamental difference highlights the unique adaptations that plant cells have developed to thrive in their environment, making chloroplasts a distinguishing feature of plant cells.