Gene

Function (biology)

Cell biology

Neuroscience

Biology

Thylakoid

Form and function

Biochemistry

Botany

Evolutionary biology

Organelle

Astrobiology

Chloroplast

Ultrastructure

Biophysics

Structural plasticity

New Phytologist

Summary The chloroplast organelle in mesophyll cells of higher plants represents a sunlight‐driven metabolic factory that eventually fuels life on our planet. Knowledge of the ultrastructure and the dynamics of this unique organelle is essential to understanding its function in an ever‐changing and challenging environment. Recent technological developments promise unprecedented insights into chloroplast architecture and its functionality. The review highlights these new methodical approaches and provides structural models based on recent findings about the plasticity of the thylakoid membrane system in response to different light regimes. Furthermore, the potential role of the lipid droplets plastoglobuli is discussed. It is emphasized that detailed structural insights are necessary on different levels ranging from molecules to entire membrane systems for a holistic understanding of chloroplast function.

Chloroplast ultrastructure in plants