The stroma is located inside the chloroplasts of plant cells. It is the fluid-filled space that surrounds the thylakoid membranes where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.
To elaborate, chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells that contain chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for capturing light energy. Within each chloroplast, the thylakoids are organized into stacks known as grana, which are where the light-dependent reactions take place. However, the stroma is the site of the light-independent reactions, or Calvin cycle, which utilizes the products of the light-dependent reactions to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.
The stroma contains enzymes, DNA, ribosomes, and various molecules required for this synthesis, making it crucial for the plant’s ability to produce energy and sustain itself.