Which organelles are responsible for collecting light energy in plant leaves?

Chloroplasts are the organelles specifically responsible for collecting light energy in plant leaves. They contain chlorophyll, the pigment that captures sunlight and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process not only provides energy for the plant's growth and development but also produces oxygen, which is vital for most life on Earth.

In contrast, mitochondria primarily function in energy production through cellular respiration, ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and nuclei serve as the control center for the cell's genetic information. While all these organelles have essential roles, it is the chloroplasts that are uniquely adapted for light absorption and energy conversion in plants.