Differences between chlorophyll and chloroplast are due to factors such as existence and involvement in photosynthesis. Where chloroplasts exist as cell organelles(photosynthetic) in a plant cell, appearing as a structure resembling that of mitochondria’s, chlorophyll exists as a primary photosynthetic pigment within the chloroplast. Mainly, chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light from the sun converting it into chemical energy but chloroplast is a part where photosynthesis takes place.
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Chlorophyll
- They are fat-soluble organic molecules having tetrapyrrole ring hence referred to as the “Tetrapyrrole pigments or Magnesium chlorin”
- Food producers of the cell found in green plants, present in the chloroplast
- Responsible for plants to grow healthy and green
- Found in the mesophyll cells in the leaves of green plants
- Reflects green colour by absorbing red and blue wavelengths
- Just like mitochondria, it is referred to as the power house of the cell as is responsible for ATP synthesis and other such reactions
- Structure similar to that of heme group of haemoglobin and cytochromes derived from protoporphyrin
Chloroplast
- Organelle found in all green plants
- It is the site for photosynthesis to occur, converting sunlight into chemical energy
- Found in dense fluid part of the chloroplast
- Carries out photosynthesis, light reactions, carbon assimilation reaction and much more
- Encloses the fluid stroma inside the double membrane
- Contains tiny, flattened, floating sacs known as thylakoids arranged as granum
Difference Between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast
Following are some of the important differences between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast.
| Chlorophyll | Chloroplast |
| What does it mean? | |
| Pigment imparting green color to plants | Organelle present in plant cell and site of photosynthesis |
| Types | |
| Five types – chlorophyll a,b,c,d,f | No types |
| Pigments | |
| Carotenoids having yellow and red pigments, green pigment | No pigments |
| Function | |
| Pigment that carries out photosynthesis | Organelle carrying out photosynthesis |
| Found as a part of | |
| Chloroplast | Plant cell |
| Location | |
| Inside chloroplast, in thylakoid membranes | All through the plant cell, leaves specifically |
| Can be observed in | |
| All Algae, plants, cyanobacteria | All algae and plants |
| Genetic material | |
| Do not have their own DNA | Has their own DNA organelle known as cpDNA |
Photosynthesis plays the most important role in the life cycle of plants wherein different organelles, pigments and plant structures are involved. Explore about each in detail at BYJU’S.
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Very very useful
And a clear explanation
Good