Chlorophyll

Definition

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy, primarily from the blue and red parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chlorophyll is essential for converting solar energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
2. There are different types of chlorophyll, with chlorophyll-a being the most common and vital in oxygenic photosynthesis.
3. In prokaryotes like cyanobacteria, chlorophyll is not enclosed within chloroplasts but is integrated into their cell membranes.
4. Chlorophyll molecules are organized along with proteins into complexes known as photosystems within thylakoid membranes.
5. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs light energy which leads to the excitation of electrons that drive the synthesis of ATP and NADPH.

Review Questions

• What role does chlorophyll play in photosynthesis?
• Where is chlorophyll located in prokaryotic organisms such as cyanobacteria?
• What types of light does chlorophyll primarily absorb?

Related terms

Photosystem:

A complex of proteins and pigments that perform light-driven reactions in photosynthesis.

Thylakoid:

Membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts where the light reactions of photosynthesis take place.

ATP Synthase:

An enzyme that creates ATP by using the proton gradient generated during the electron transport chain.