Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, the most important class of pigments involved in photosynthesis, the process by which light energy is converted to chemical energy through the synthesis of
organic compounds. Chlorophyll is found in virtually all photosynthetic organisms, including green plants, cyanobacteria (microorganisms) , and algae. It absorbs energy from light; this energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.
Chlorophyll is the green colored pigment which is present in the plastid. It is located in the thylakoid membranes of the plastids. It has a molecular formula of C55H72O55N44Mg.
Magnesium is centrally located in the chlorophyll. It consists of porphyrin ring which has magnesium ion in the center. The two types of chlorophyll are chlorophyll a and b.
Chlorophyll a has a porphyrin
ring with the side chain of the methyl group and a phytol chain. Chlorophyll b has a porphyrin ring with the side chain of aldehyde group and a phytol chain. It acts like an accessory pigment.
Role of Chlorophyll in Photosynthesis
The overall balanced equation for photosynthesis is:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
where carbon dioxide and water react to produce glucose and oxygen. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use chlorophyll to absorb light (usually solar
energy) and convert it into chemical energy. Chlorophyll strongly absorbs blue light and
also some red light. It poorly absorbs green
