Arabidopsis thaliana plant cells containing chloroplasts, LM

Confocal micrograph of cells inside a leaf from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, commonly known as thale cress. Mesophyll cells (blue; round/oval shape) containing chloroplasts (red) are visible here below a layer of epidermal cells (wave-like structure with convoluted shape). Chloroplasts are small compartments (organelles) which contain chlorophyll and are found in some plant and algae cells. They are the site of photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce energy from light. Arabidopsis was the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced and is widely used as a model organism in molecular and plant biology. Image created in collaboration with Jim Haseloff. Width of image is 200 micrometres.