The correct answer is the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast. To identify the location within a plant cell where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place, we need to understand the structure of a plant cell.
A plant cell has various organelles, including the chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Within the chloroplast, the light-dependent reactions occur in a specific structure called the thylakoid membrane.
The thylakoid membrane is a series of interconnected sacs or disks inside the chloroplast. These sacs contain chlorophyll, which is responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into chemical energy.
During the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, the chlorophyll molecules in the thylakoid membrane absorb light energy. This energy is then used to convert water into oxygen, protons (H+ ions), and high-energy molecules like ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).
Therefore, the correct location within a plant cell where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place is the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast.