Three Types of Chlorophylls
The discovery of the existence of chlorophyll was a slow process, although light was first discovered to play a role in photosynthesis in the late 1700s. Chlorophyll exists in several forms, with three types of chlorophyll being the most common. Chlorophyll is used by the plant to capture sunlight and convert it into energy, though different types of the chemical fulfill different roles.
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Chlorophyll A
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Chlorophyll a is the main type of chlorophyll and is responsible for exciting the molecules that produce sugar. Chlorophyll a is found in all types of plants that require sunlight for life, and forms a specific shape known as a porphyrin ring. These rings allow electrons to pass through with ease, allowing the chlorophyll a to interact with the plant.
Chlorophyll B
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Chlorophyll b is similar in structure to chlorophyll a, as chlorophyll b also forms porphyrin rings. Chlorophyll b is only found in green algae and green plants, with the only structural difference between the two being a small side chain located on the upper right side -- this chain is composed of CH3 in chlorophyll a, but CHO in chlorophyll b. These side chains help the chlorophyll absorb light of different wavelengths.
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Chlorophyll C
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The third form of chlorophyll, chlorophyll c, is more rare than both chlorophyll a and b, and is only found in photosynthetic organisms of the chromista and dinoflagellates groups. These microscopic organisms use chlorophyll c to pass on excited molecules to chlorophyll a, which can then begin the process of turning the energy into food.
Other Differences
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Chlorophyll a and b capture light at different wavelengths, ensuring the plant can absorb the maximum amount of energy possible. In plants where both these types of chlorophyll occur, the two complement each other. This is because chlorophyll a absorbs light most effectively at about 400 and 650 to 700 nanometers in wavelength, while chlorophyll b absorbs light waves from 500 and 600 nanometers long. In terms of wavelength, chlorophyll a captures light most effectively around 400 nm, as well as between 650 and 700 nm. Chlorophyll b on the other hand, absorbs light at 500 nm, as well as around 600 nm.
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