Chlorophyll is the photosynthetic pigment par excellence. They give the green color present in plants and are the molecules responsible for the transformation of light energy into chemical energy, in the process called photosynthesis.
The word chlorophyll comes from the Greek “χλωρος” either “chloros” what does it mean “green“, and “φύλλον” either “fýlon“which expresses”sheet“.
Chlorophyll is known as the organic molecules of chloroplasts, characteristic of plant cells. This plant pigment is what allows the photochemical reactions necessary for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll was discovered for the first time by the chemists Pelletier and Canventou, who in 1817 managed to separate it from the leaves of plants.
Chlorophyll structure
Chlorophyll has in the structure of its molecules a porphyrin ring that contains magnesium and its function is to absorb light and, a phytol hydrophobic chain which keeps the chlorophyll included in the photosynthetic membrane.
Due to its molecular structure, chlorophyll, through the process of photosynthesis, allows the conversion of inorganic energy (carbon dioxide and water) into organic energy (carbohydrates) because it is the receptor of light energy in said process.
Chlorophyll is one of the photosynthetic pigments present in plants. The pigments that give colors that do not belong to green are found in chromoplasts, such as carotenoids.
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Types of chlorophyll
In biology, different types of chlorophyll are distinguished:
The chlorophyll A It is present in the action centers of plant cells, responsible for photochemical reactions during photosynthesis. chlorophyll B It functions as a receiving antenna for photon energy that is then transferred to chlorophyll A. chlorophyll C It is present in the chloroplasts of brown algae, diatoms and haptophytes, and chlorophyll D It is found only in red algae and in a cyanobacteria known as acaryochloris marina.
Chlorophyll and chloroplasts
Chlorophyll is located in the chloroplasts of plant cells. Chloroplasts are organelles present in the stroma of the plant cell and inside there are several coins of thylakoids called grana. Chlorophyll is found within the membranes of the thylakoids.
Both chlorophyll and chloroplasts are characteristic elements of plant cells and are what make photosynthesis possible.
Benefits of chlorophyll
Chlorophyll helps oxygenate the blood and, therefore, detoxify our body. Likewise, chlorophyll helps the digestive system to disintegrate calcium oxalate stones in order to eliminate excess acid and is an effective anti-inflammatory.
Chlorophyll helps reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as strengthens the immune system. However, it combats bad breath caused by tobacco, alcohol and other foods.
In order to enjoy all the benefits that chlorophyll provides, it must be consumed through the intake of vegetables such as: lettuce, spinach, chard, watercress, among others; green drinks what is known as green drinks oo, consume it as a supplement, in the form of liquid chlorophyll.