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Difference Between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast

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Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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Difference between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast Briefly Explained

Factors such as chlorophyll's existence as well as its role in photosynthesis make chlorophyll and chloroplast different. The chloroplast is the primary photosynthetic pigment found within a chloroplast in a plant cell, resembling mitochondria. The chlorophyll occurs as a secondary photosynthetic pigment within the chloroplast. In basic terms, chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light from the sun and transforms it into chemical energy, while chloroplast is where photosynthesis occurs.

 

What is Chlorophyll and What are its Characteristics?

Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use sunlight to provide energy and nutrition to themselves through the use of a green pigment called chlorophyll. Some of the characteristics of photosynthesis are as follows: 

  • The Tetrapyrrole pigments or Magnesium chlorine molecules are fat-soluble organic molecules with a tetrapyrrole ring.

  • Green plants produce food in the chloroplast, which is found in the cell wall.

  • It is responsible for the healthy growth of plants.

  • In green plants, it is present in the mesophyll cells.

  • The mesophyll absorbs wavelengths in the red and blue regions.

  • ATP synthesis and other reactions are carried out in the cytoplasm, or power house of the cell, just like the mitochondria.

  • Contains a similar structure to that of the hemoglobin heme group and the cytochromes that derive from protoporphyrin.

 

What is a Chloroplast and What are its Characteristics?

The chloroplast is called the organelle or the site where chlorophyll is responsible for trapping sunlight and forming ATP in plants. The following characteristics of chloroplasts are important to remember - 

  • Every green plant contains an organelle.

  • Photosynthesis takes place here, transforming sunlight into chemical energy.

  • This occurs in the dense fluid part of the chloroplast.

  • This organism engages in photosynthesis, light reactions, carbon assimilation reactions, among other things.

  • Includes the fluid stroma inside the double membrane.

  • Thylakoids are tiny, flattened, floating sacs arranged as granules.

 

Chlorophyll vs. Chloroplast

Here is a detailed look at the differences between chlorophyll and chloroplast now that you know what chlorophyll and chloroplast are.

Factor

Chlorophyll

Chloroplast

Meaning

The pigment chlorophyll gives plants their green color.

Photosynthesis takes place within chloroplasts, which are organelles within plant cells.

Role

A critical part of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast.

Types

Two types - chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b.

Chloroplasts are not divided into subunits.

Pigments

Green pigment with yellow and red carotenoids.

Chloroplasts do not contain pigment.

Part of

Chlorophyll forms a part of the chloroplast.

Plant cells are made up of chloroplasts.

Occurrence

Chlorophyll is found in algae, green plants, and cyanobacteria.

Plants and algae have chloroplasts.

Presence

Thylakoids are found in the chloroplast's thylakoid membrane.

Chromatin is a component of chloroplasts that is found in leaves.

Consists of

No DNA.

Contains their own DNA, particularly cpDNA.

 

Overview

Photosynthesis in plants and algae is carried out by chloroplasts and chlorophyll. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes produce chlorophyll for photosynthetic purposes. The chloroplast is found only in plants, fungi, and eukaryotes because they are membrane-bound organelles. A cyanobacterium is a photosynthetic prokaryote that contains only chlorophyll. Carotenoids are found in plants in addition to chlorophylls, which absorb light in regions of the spectrum that chlorophylls cannot. Phalloplasty have thylakoid membranes made up of chlorophylls. They are better at trapping light in the violet-blue and orange-red portions of the spectrum. They reflect green light. The green color of photosynthetic organisms, therefore, indicates their photosynthetic activity. In chloroplasts, where chlorophylls are present, the light reaction of photosynthesis occurs. In the stroma of chloroplasts, the dark reaction of photosynthesis occurs. Therefore, chloroplasts are necessary for photosynthesis to occur in cells by providing the necessary space. As a result, chlorophyll and chloroplast are mainly differentiated by their role in photosynthesis.

 

The Stages of Photosynthesis

In addition to the information above, you should also know that photosynthesis has two distinct phases. Light reactions occur in Stage I, and Calvin cycles occur in Stage II. 

  1. Light Reaction

The first stage of photosynthesis involves plants converting light energy into chemical energy with the help of water. NADPH and ATP store this chemical energy. An oxygen by-product is generated during this reaction.

 

  1. Calvin Cycle

Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by plants and combined with the chemical energy they store. As a result of this stage's combination with NADPH and ATP, glucose is produced, which fulfills the plants' nutritional needs.

6CO2+6H2O+Light Energy→C6H12O6+6O2

FAQs on Difference Between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast

1. What are The Three Primary Functions of Chlorophyll?

This enzyme is essential for the process of photosynthesis, through which plants derive nutrition. Chlorophyll is indirectly responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

2. What is The Exact Location of Chlorophyll in a Plant Body?

Chlorophyll is located in the thylakoid membrane of an organelle in plants. This organelle is known as the chloroplast.

3. What Are The Other Types of Chlorophyll Apart From a And b?

While chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the two most important types of the pigment, it has further minor types as well, including chlorophyll c, d and e. All types apart from chlorophyll a are only found in distinct plants and algae only.

4. What is The Colour of Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b?

Chlorophyll a exhibit a teal-green colour, while chlorophyll b is green-yellow in colour. 

5. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll in all cases?

Chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, are where photosynthesis occurs in plants. Among other pigments with light-responsive properties, including red, brown, and blue pigments, chlorophyll A is the major pigment used in photosynthesis.

6. What is the process of increasing chlorophyll in plants?

Chlorophyll (the pigment that converts light into energy in plants) requires sulfur to be formed. Adding sulfur can make plants' new leaves yellow without promoting healthy roots. Too little sulfur causes these leaves to yellow.

7. Is photosynthesis possible without chloroplasts?

Previously referred to as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria are the largest and most diverse group of photosynthetic bacteria. Despite the absence of chloroplasts, these organisms still function as true prokaryotes.

8. Why do some plants lack chloroplasts?

A root system or bulb does not contain chloroplasts, nor do the inner stem cells. The chloroplasts would be useless in these areas because no sunlight reaches them. Since fruit and flower cells are primarily devoted to reproduction and dispersal, they do not have chloroplasts.