What is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives plants their characteristic green color. The term comes from the Greek: "chloros" means green, and "phyllon" means leaf, meaning "green leaf." This leaf pigment is found in almost all green plants and many algae. Several types of chlorophyll are distinguished:
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Chlorophyll a: blue-green, main pigment in all plants, algae and cyanobacteria
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Chlorophyll b: yellow-green, in green algae, euglenophytes and all land plants
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Chlorophyll c: yellowish-green, in brown algae, diatoms, golden algae, calcareous algae
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Chlorophyll d: olive green, in red algae and some cyanobacteria
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Chlorophyll f: greenish, in special cyanobacteria e.g. stromatolites
In houseplants, the two chlorophyll types a and b are mainly found, which ensure that the plants can grow well even in indoor lighting conditions.
Why leaves appear green
Although sunlight consists of many colors, chlorophyll primarily absorbs red and blue light and reflects predominantly green light. This is why leaves appear green to our eyes. The amount of this pigment in leaves changes throughout the year. Especially in autumn, chlorophyll breaks down, allowing other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins to become more visible, creating the typical autumn coloration.
Why chlorophyll is important for plants
Only through chlorophyll are plants able to photosynthesize —that is, convert light energy into vital substances. Chlorophyll a is the main pigment, converting light energy directly into chemical energy. Chlorophyll b supports this process as an auxiliary pigment, harnessing additional light components.
The process of photosynthesis
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The plant absorbs carbon dioxide through its leaves and water through its roots.
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In the chloroplasts, where the chlorophyll is located, glucose is produced from carbon dioxide and water with the help of sunlight.
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This creates oxygen, which the plant releases back into the air through its leaves.
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The plant stores glucose as an energy source for growth and development.
Influence on plant health
The amount and activity of chlorophyll also determines how efficiently a plant can photosynthesize. Plants with many large, dark green leaves can utilize more sunlight, while species with smaller or lighter leaves often have less photosynthetic capacity. Environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and nutrient supply can also influence chlorophyll formation.
In addition, the concentration of chlorophyll in the leaves is an important indicator of the plant's health. A vibrant green color usually indicates a good supply of nutrients, while pale or yellow leaves can indicate a nutrient deficiency (e.g., magnesium or nitrogen), drought stress, or disease.
Chlorophyll gaps: What lies behind variegated plants
Variegated plants have leaves that have both green and light or white areas. The green areas contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis. The light or white areas, on the other hand, contain little or no chlorophyll and therefore cannot convert sunlight into energy. As a result, variegated plants have a lower overall photosynthetic capacity than purely green plants and usually grow somewhat slower. For their development, they are particularly dependent on good light conditions, but avoid direct, strong sunlight, as the white areas of the leaves are particularly sensitive to sunlight.
