Chlorophyll in Chloroplast
Chloroplasts and chlorophyll are present within plant cells and carry out photosynthesis. Chloroplasts, organelles enclosed by a double membrane, is the sites for photosynthesis.
The name chlorophyll originated from two Greek terms: Chloros which means “green” and phyllon which means “leaf”. It was first isolated in 1817 by the French chemist Joseph Bienname Caventeau and his co-workers. Chlorophyll is a pigment responsible for giving plants their green color, it helps plants make their own food through photosynthesis.
Chemical Formula of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll contains proteins 50%, chlorophyll 3-10%, RNA-5%, DNA 0.02-0.01%, phospholipids 23%, carotenoids 1-2%, and various metals, such as Fe, Zn. mg. Cu and Mg etc. Each molecule of chlorohyll has a hydrophilic head that is made up of pyrole and a hydrophobic tail attached to a phytol chain.
There are many types of chlorophyll:
- Chlorophyll a: Its formula is C55H72O5N4Mg. It consists of the CH2 group. It is found approximately 75%.
- Chlorophyll b: Its formula is C55H70MgN4O6.In this, the CHO group is found in place of CH3. It gets up to about 25%.
- Chlorophyll c: It is found in place of Chlorophyll b in Bacillariophyceae and Phaeophyceae.
- Chlorophyll d: It is found in place of Chlorophyll b in Rhodophyceae.
- Chlorophyll e: It is found in Xanthophyceae in place of Chlorophyll b.
Chloroplasts: Diagram, Structure and Functions
The structure and function of chloroplast are adapted for photosynthesis. Chloroplast is an eukaryotic organelle found in plant cells and some algal cells which forms the site for photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which captures light energy and uses it to synthesize organic compounds, including sugars, from carbon dioxide and water.
Chloroplasts give plants their green colour and are essential for their growth and survival. In this article, we will cover the structure and function of chloroplast, along with their diagram.
Table of Content
- Chloroplast Definition
- What is Chloroplast?
- Chloroplast Diagram with Label
- Structure of Chloroplast
- Functions of Chloroplast – Role of Chloroplast in Plant Cells
- Structure and Function of Chloroplast
- Chlorophyll in Chloroplast
Contact Us