Question

Do bacteria contain chloroplasts?

Answer 1

Hint: Bacteria are single celled organisms with simple structure. Chloroplasts are plastids which are present in plants which helps them to perform photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll in them which is a green colour pigment which fixes light energy and initiates the process of photosynthesis. These are disc-shaped organelles which are found in the cytosol of the cell. They are also known as food producers of plants.

Complete answer:
No, Bacteria do not have chloroplasts. They are single celled organisms with simple structures. They are prokaryotes which means they do not have nucleus or intracellular organelles. Genetic information is present in a single loop of DNA.
However, some bacteria are photoautotrophs which make their own food in the presence of sunlight just like plants. So they require chlorophyll. But chlorophyll containing chloroplasts are absent in bacteria. The chloroplast pigment i.e. the chlorophyll is directly present in the membrane. They have embedded chlorophyll in the membrane which are called the reaction centres. These have the ability to absorb sunlight and then photosynthesis takes place.

Note:
The reaction centres are of two types: tubular and sheet structures. Tubes provide less surface area and sheets provide more surface area. Depending upon the presence of sunlight in different conditions these tubes and sheets present in the membrane of the bacterial cell absorb sunlight and help in the process of photosynthesis. Chloroplasts carry out a number of functions in plants. Bacteria have a very important role in cycling of nutrients.