What is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll, often referred to as the "green pigment of life," is an essential component of plant biology that plays a central role in the process of photosynthesis. Valoya Inc. takes pride in delving into the depths of botanical science, and in this article, we unravel the mysteries of chlorophyll, its significance for plant growth, and its implications for horticulture and agriculture.

The Basics

Chlorophyll is a complex molecule found within the chloroplasts of plant cells. It is responsible for the green coloration seen in most plants and is crucial for capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy. This process, known as photosynthesis, forms the foundation of the Earth's ecosystem by facilitating the conversion of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.

Chlorophylls are probably the best-known group of plant pigments. They are light-absorbing complexes contained within the chloroplasts of leaf tissues that are green in color and found in all plants and algae. Chlorophylls, being the main known photoreceptors, are essential for photosynthesis as it’s their job is to absorb energy from the photons to which the plant is exposed. Green plants use both chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B to capture light for photosynthesis. There are also C1, C2, D, and F chlorophylls, but these are generally found in lower plant forms such as algae and diatoms.

In plants, chlorophylls absorb strongly in the red and blue regions of visible light and less in the green region. This is how we wound up with blurple LED grow lights–simply trying to stimulate just chlorophylls. Energy savings from producing “only the wavelengths that drive photosynthesis” was a benefit touted by early LED grow light manufacturers and enthusiasts. Unfortunately, none of us saw the plant lighting big picture at the time. Now we appreciate full spectrum.

The Main Role of Chlorophyll

Photosynthesis can be summarized as a multi-step process that involves the absorption of light energy, its conversion into chemical energy, and the subsequent creation of glucose and oxygen. Chlorophyll molecules absorb photons of light, exciting their electrons to higher energy levels. These energized electrons are then utilized to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), both of which fuel the production of glucose through a series of enzymatic reactions.

Curiosity Around Chlorophyll

One curiosity about chlorophyll is its close resemblance to hemoglobin, the human molecule that provides oxygen and carbon dioxide transport throughout the body. The primary difference between chlorophyll and hemoglobin is their center ion: hemoglobin centers on iron (Fe), while chlorophyll centers on magnesium (Mg) which both play crucial roles in capturing light energy during photosynthesis. Otherwise, the molecules are strikingly similar. Both are pigments, providing color to the organisms where they exist.