Chlorophyll

Group of green, magnesium-containing plant pigments, derivatives of porphyrin. Involved in photosynthesis. Absorb red and blue light, the energy of which is used to produce carbohydrates through intermediate steps. Chlorophyll reflects green spectrum light well, so plant leaves appear green. There are several types of chlorophyll that differ in chemical structure details. Chlorophyll a and b are found in higher plants and green algae. Other types of chlorophyll are present in other algae and photosynthetic bacteria. A chlorophyll molecule converts the energy of absorbed light quanta into the energy of an excited electron. This excited electron, with the help of the photosynthetic system, is transferred multiple times through the thylakoid membrane, simultaneously transferring a hydrogen ion (H⁺) against an electrochemical gradient. The created gradient is used for photosynthesis, which requires ATP synthesis. Excited electrons are also used in reduction reactions in the dark stage of photosynthesis through intermediate steps.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė