chlorophyll c

biology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

Chlorophyll c is a type of pigment essential for photosynthesis, the process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy. This pigment is found in various photosynthetic organisms, including certain types of algae. While chlorophyll a is used by all algae for photosynthesis, chlorophyll c is utilized by some algae alongside chlorophyll a to capture light energy from wavelengths not absorbed by chlorophyll a. Chlorophylls, in general, are crucial for converting carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. They are located within organelles called chloroplasts in plant and algal cells.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

chlorophyll
…plants and green algae; chlorophylls c and d are found, often with a, in different algae; chlorophyll e is a rare type found in some golden algae; and bacterio-chlorophyll occurs in certain bacteria. In green plants chlorophyll occurs in membranous disklike units (thylakoids) in organelles called chloroplasts
Read More
…plants and green algae; chlorophylls c and d are found, often with a, in different algae; chlorophyll e is a rare type found in some golden algae; and bacterio-chlorophyll occurs in certain bacteria. In green plants chlorophyll occurs in membranous disklike units (thylakoids) in organelles called chloroplasts
Read More