Role of chlorophyll in plants

1. You might have wondered why most plants are green. The answer lies in a small pigment molecule found in all
green plants, algae and cyanobacteria, known as chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is located in chloroplasts, which are
organelles found in the cells of plants and algae.

2. Plants can get all their energy requirements from the red and blue parts of the light spectrum, but there is a
large part of the spectrum that does not get absorbed. This part of the spectrum leans towards green
wavelengths, and chlorophyll does not absorb them. Instead, it reflects them, giving plants their characteristic
green color. Since it is light-absorbing, chlorophyll is called a photoreceptor.

3. Vascular plants that can absorb and transport nutrients and moisture through specialized systems have two
different types of chlorophyll. These are known as chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. The two chlorophylls differ
slightly in color and chemical makeup, but both are very effective photoreceptors.

4. The different side groups in the two chlorophylls absorb slightly different wavelengths such that the light that is
not absorbed by chlorophyll a is absorbed by chlorophyll b, which absorbs better at that particular wavelength.
This means the two chlorophylls complement each other and work towards absorbing sunlight energy.

5. Several other pigments are found in the chloroplasts of algae, bacteria and diatoms, coloring them various
shades of red, orange, blue and violet. These molecules are known as accessory pigments, and are able to
absorb light where chlorophyll is unable to.

6. Apart from giving plants their green color, chlorophyll is also responsible for giving plants energy by converting
light energy into chemical energy. This process takes place in chloroplasts, in a complex process known as
photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll molecules, carbon dioxide, water and specialized enzymes
convert light energy into simple sugars that individual cells in the plant can use to carry on their processes.

7. Inside the chloroplasts are thykaloid sacs which house photosystems. Photosystems are groups of pigment
molecules and proteins also known as light-harvesting systems. The two types of photosystems that have been
identified are photosystem I and photosystem II, with photosystem II being the first in the chain of the
photosynthesis process.
 8. Chlorophyll molecules are arranged around and inside these photosystems. ∎A) Inside the photosystems,
chlorophyll molecules have three main functions. ∎ B) First, they absorb light from the sun. The chlorophyll
molecules then transfer this light energy to a chlorophyll pair inside the photosystems called the reaction center
of photosynthesis. ∎C) In the reaction center, ∎D) the chlorophyll molecules perform their third function;
charge separation.

9. Charge separation leads to the splitting of water molecules in a series of complex reactions. The water molecules
are turned into oxygen gas and hydrogen ions. It is through this process of charge separation that plants are
responsible for producing almost all the oxygen gas in the earth’s atmosphere.

10. Photosynthesis is how plants get their energy, but it is not only important for them. Photosynthesis is essential
for other living things on earth. Through photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide from the environment and
release oxygen into the air, which is the oxygen we need to breathe. It is also important because animals eat
plants and indirectly use the light energy converted by plants to fuel their own bodies.

11. Chlorophyll absorbs light strongly and therefore tends to mask other less intense colors from molecules such as
carotene and quercetin. These less intense colors are only revealed when chlorophyll decays in autumn, and the
woodlands turn red, orange, and golden brown. Chlorophyll is damaged when plants are cooked because the
central magnesium atom in its structure is replaced by hydrogen ions. This leads to the green color turning into a
paler, yellowy green.

12. When leaves produce an insufficient amount of chlorophyll, they are said to have a condition known as
chlorosis. This condition causes the leaves to turn yellow, and is caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria,
fungi and sap-sucking insects. It can also come about as a result of inappropriate soil Ph, which makes it
impossible for a plant to absorb the nutrients it requires from the soil.

13. In conclusion, chlorophyll is important in plants as it gives them their green color and gives them energy to carry
out processes such as germination, flowering and growth. It is an essential component of photosynthesis, a
process that also gives us the oxygen we breathe.

Now answer the questions:

1. According to paragraph 2, why do plants have their characteristic green color?

A) Because they have both carotene and quercetin
B) Because chlorophyll does not absorb green wavelengths, but instead reflects them
C) Because they have chlorosis
D) Because they undergo a complex process known as photosynthesis
 2. The following are all true about photosynthesis except:
a) During photosynthesis, oxygen is released.
b) Animals indirectly use the light energy converted by plants during photosynthesis.
c) Photosynthesis cleans the air we breathe because it takes carbon dioxide from the environment and releases
oxygen.
d) Water is not a necessary component of photosynthesis.

3. Which one of the following can be inferred about chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b from paragraph 3 and 4?
a) The two chlorophylls compete for sunlight.
b) The two chlorophylls are required for photosynthesis to be complete in vascular plants.
c) Chlorophyll a can function on its own.
d) Chlorophyll b gives plants a different pigment such as red, orange, blue and violet.

4. Why does the author mention that in autumn, the woodlands turn red, orange, and golden brown?
a) To show the importance of chlorophyll in photosynthesis
b) To demonstrate the superiority of chlorophyll in absorbing aspects of the light spectrum in comparison to other
molecules
c) To argue that the woodlands can be a beautiful place to visit in autumn
d) To note the intricate science behind the process of converting light energy to chemical energy

5. In stating that this part of the spectrum leans toward green wavelengths, the author means that the part of
the spectrum:
a) Needs green light
b) Rests towards green
c) Has a high concentration of green
d) Absorbs green colors

6. “…The answer lies in a small pigment molecule found in all green plants, algae and cyanobacteria, known as
chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is located in chloroplasts, which are organelles found in the cells of plants and
algae…”

The word which in the passage refers to :

a) Plants
b) Cells
c) Chlorophyll
d) Chloroplasts
7. “…Photosynthesis is how plants get their energy, but it is not only important for them. Photosynthesis is
essential for other living things on earth. Through photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide from the
environment and release oxygen into the air, which is the oxygen we need to breathe. It is also important
because animals eat plants and indirectly use the light energy converted by plants to fuel their own bodies…”
Of the following statements, which one is closest in meaning to the sentence highlighted above?

a) Plants take oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide into the air.
b) Plants use up carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis and release oxygen, which is then breathed in
by humans.
c) Plants reduce carbon dioxide in the environment by using it up during photosynthesis.
d) Carbon dioxide and oxygen are both useful gases during photosynthesis.

8. Examine the 4 square-marks [ ∎ ] in the text which signify the places in which the following sentence could
possibly fit.

All these functions must take place in sequence for photosynthesis to be deemed complete.
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D