The number per cell varies, e. g. one in Chlorella and Chlamydomonas and in most hornworts (Antherocyta), two in Zygnema, and about one hundred in palisade mesophyll cells of leaves.

• 叶绿体的数目因物种，细胞种类和生理状况而不同。例如大多数高等植物的叶肉细胞的栅栏组织中有100多个叶绿体，而藻类植物通常只有一个叶绿体。