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Function of chlorophyll?

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Function of chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is a molecule produced by plants, algae and cyanobacteria which aids in the conversion of light energy into chemical bonds. Chlorophyll is known as a pigment, or molecule that reflects some wavelengths of light, while absorbing others. Pigments produce a variety of colors in the plant and animal world. Chlorophyll is a green pigment, and is responsible for the green color of plants and algae.

In plants, there are two specific forms of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Each form of chlorophyll absorbs slightly different wavelengths of light. As seen in the graph below, chlorophyll a absorbs dark blue wavelengths and dark red wavelengths. Chlorophyll b absorbs a light blue wavelength and a reddish-orange wavelength. Plants have both forms of chlorophyll, which allows them to absorb most blue wavelengths and most red wavelengths. The large dip in the middle of the graph near the green wavelengths is due to chlorophyll reflecting, instead of absorbing, green light.

Functions of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll in the Biosynthesis of Sugars

Plants use both forms of chlorophyll to collect the energy from light. Chlorophyll is concentrated in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are the organelles in which photosynthesis takes place. The thylakoids are small sacs of membrane, stacked on top of each other. Embedded in these membranes are a variety of proteins that surround chlorophyll. These proteins work together to transfer the energy from light, through chlorophyll, and into the bonds of ATP – the energy transferring molecule of cells. ATP can then be used in the Calvin cycle, or dark cycle, to create sugars.

The series of proteins that transfer energy from light and channel it into the synthesis of sugars are known as photosystems. The entire process, both light and dark cycles together, is known as photosynthesis, and occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria. These organisms take in carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and sunlight to produce glucose. They can use this glucose in the process of cellular respiration to create ATP, or they can combine the glucose into more complex molecules to be stored.

Chlorophyll in the production of oxygen

A by-product of photosynthesis is oxygen. Plants can use this oxygen in cellular respiration, but they also release excess oxygen into the air. This oxygen allows many non-plants to undergo respiration as well, thereby supporting life on Earth. The oxygen is produced in the first part of the light cycle of photosynthesis. Plants split water molecules to produce electrons, hydrogen ions, and diatomic oxygen (O2). The electrons supply the electron transport chain that drives ATP production. The oxygen is released into the air. In this way, all the oxygen we breathe is produced.

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Function of chlorophyll?

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