Chlorophyll: Quick Facts

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Photos and Videos

Microscope view of numerous green, elongated Euglena gracilis cells clustered together, showing their oval and spindle shapes against a pale background.

Diagram of the light reactions of photosynthesis

The video thumbnail image shows a green leaf with a rainbow graphic arcing towards it.

Learn About the Greenness of Plants

Learn How the Layered Arrangement of Chlorophyll Molecules Within a Leaf Increases Its Photosynthetic Output

Orange and red leaves on a tree.

Explore the anatomy of a plant's mesophyll to understand how chlorophyll generates a green appearance

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Topics

chlorophyll b chlorophyll a bacteriochlorophyll Why are plants green?Why Is Grass Green?chloroplast photosynthesis chloroplastin Porphyrin How do plants grow?What did Jan Ingenhousz discover about photosynthesis?photolysis What Does Photosynthesis Produce?

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

coloration: Nitrogenous pigments

Key People

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Richard Willstätter

German chemist

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Henri Dutrochet

French physiologist

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Hans Fischer

German biochemist

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Ernst Felix Hoppe-Seyler

German physician

Photosynthesis diagram showing how water, light, and carbon dioxide are absorbed by a plant and that oxygen and sugars are produced. Also show a person to illustrate the oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle between plants and animals.

Pop Quiz: 13 Things to Know About Photosynthesis