+44 (0) 7490 373980 447490373980 Book a 121 Donate!
     

Steffi Lewis | Blog

Turning coffee into code since 1993 ...

The Incredible Role of Chlorophyll in Making Leaves Green

Steffi Lewis

CREATED BY STEFFI LEWIS

Published: 08/06/2024 @ 13:47PM
#ChlorophyllRevolution #GreenPigment #Photosynthesis #PlantsSustainingLife #IncredibleChlorophyll

Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, has fascinated scientists for a long time. Its discovery in the 20th century revolutionised our understanding of photosynthesis. It also illuminated the role of plants in sustaining life on Earth.

Chlorophyll, green life, Captured by the sun's bright rays, Nature's alchemy

Chlorophyll, green life, Captured by the sun's bright rays, Nature's alchemy

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants that is essential for the process of photosynthesis. It absorbs light energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy. Plants use this energy to produce glucose and oxygen. This incredible process allows plants to create their own food and release oxygen into the atmosphere. It makes life on Earth possible.

But why are leaves green?

The answer lies in the structure of chlorophyll and its role in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is found in specialised structures within plant cells called chloroplasts. These chloroplasts contain a network of membranes and proteins. They work together to capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy.

The green colour of chlorophyll is due to its unique chemical structure. It contains a ring of atoms called a porphyrin ring, which is similar to the structure of haemoglobin in our blood. However, while haemoglobin contains iron chlorophyll contains magnesium at its core. This magnesium atom is what gives chlorophyll its green colour.

One of the key breakthroughs in understanding the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis came in the 1930s. During this time, scientists Hans Fischer and Robert Robinson were able to isolate and determine the chemical structure of chlorophyll. This discovery paved the way for further research into the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll.

Another important discovery came in the 1960s!

Scientists Melvin Calvin, Andrew Benson and James Bassham traced the path of carbon through the process of photosynthesis. This led to the development of the Calvin Cycle, a series of reactions that plants use to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. This groundbreaking research earned Calvin the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961.

Further research into the structure and function of chlorophyll has revealed several different types, each with its unique chemical structure and role in photosynthesis. For example, chlorophyll a is found in all plants and is the primary pigment responsible for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll b is found in green algae and some plants. It helps capture light energy not absorbed by chlorophyll a.

In addition to its role in photosynthesis, chlorophyll has other benefits for plants. It helps protect plants from harmful UV radiation. It can also act as an antioxidant, protecting plants from damage caused by free radicals.

The discovery of chlorophyll and its role in photosynthesis has advanced our understanding of plant biology. It has also had a significant impact on agriculture and food production. By understanding how plants use light energy to produce food, scientists have developed more efficient farming techniques and improved crop yields.

The discovery of chlorophyll in the 20th century has
been a major scientific breakthrough!

It has revolutionised our understanding of photosynthesis and the role of plants in sustaining life on Earth. Its unique chemical structure and capacity to capture light energy make it an essential component of plant biology.

The next time you see a green leaf remember the role of chlorophyll in making it so.

Love, light & logic ...

Steffi Lewis

STEFFI LEWIS
Independent UK SaaS Developer - Creator of YourPCM & sBlogIt!

Share the blog love ...

Share this to FacebookBuffer
Share this to FacebookFacebook
Share this to TwitterTwitter
Share this to Linkedin (popup window)Linkedin
Share this to Pinterest (popup window)Pinterest
Share this to WhatsApp (popup window)WhatsApp

#ChlorophyllRevolution #GreenPigment #Photosynthesis #PlantsSustainingLife #IncredibleChlorophyll

About Steffi Lewis ...

Steffi Lewis 

Based in the charming village of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, UK, I bring over 30 years of experience in web development. From creating my first website for the Open University in 1993, through being part of the dot com boom, to my explorations in SaaS and AI over the last few years, my journey has been a rich tapestry of web projects, big and small, both funded and bootstrapped.

Originally developed during the pandemic, at the start of 2025, I released the next iteration of YourPCM, version 2, which is all about 'Easy Contact Management for Small Business Owners'. Is it a CRM? Yes, but I don't call it that because people glaze over at the mention of such things. CRMs are boring, difficult to get to grips with, and it's a nightmare to get help when you need it. 

YourPCM is none of those things! It's simple to use, well-supported, feature rich and beautiful, right out of the box. It's available on a simple monthly subscription with no long-term tie-in. Book a demo or grab your own 14-working-day free trial and discover why YourPCM is all about easy contact management for small business owners. 

My head is in the cloud, my heart belongs to the web, and my soul is filled with such beautiful code 💗

More blog posts for you to enjoy ...

Click here to view this blog post


The Tug-of-War: AI vs Copyright and the Future of Creative Rights in the UK

The UK is witnessing a significant standoff over AI vs copyright holders where the creative sector is rallying against proposed legislation that could allow AI developers to access protected material without consent. This con...

Click here to view this blog post


Will AI Become Conscious? My thoughts on the Future of Machines

I use Artificial Intelligence all day, every day. It's baked into both YourPCM and sBlogIt! though I still oversee everything it does for me and my subscribers. But there's a pressing question that even I think about from tim...

Click here to view this blog post


sBlogIt! Version 2 Is Officially Signed Off As Done!

The long, hard slog is over. I've finished what I call the Test, Tweak and Twiddle phase of sBlogIt! V2 and I'm very pleased to sign off my upgraded done-for-you blogging platform as completed, once and for all ......

Click here to view this blog post


Universal Basic Income: A Vision for the Future in an AI-Driven Economy

AI technology is rapidly transforming industries, and Universal Basic Income presents a compelling solution to tackle the implications of mass automation. It can safeguard livelihoods while fostering an innovative economy ......

Click here to view this blog post


That's One Small Step For A Coder, One Giant Leap For sBlogIt! Kind

While many people put their feet up over Easter and spent time with friends and family, my long weekend saw me at my desk, dunking Chocolate Hobnobs in my coffee, moving the sBlogIt! v2 project further along. And now we're at...

Click here to view this blog post


Business Networking for SaaS Founders

In the business world, networking is often the lifeblood that drives growth, partnerships, and innovation. For SaaS founders particularly, striking the right balance between cost-effective virtual networking and face-to-face ...

Click here to view this blog post


Artificial Intelligence: Supporting Our Progress, Not Replacing Our Potential

The deeper I dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence, the more I discover normally rational individuals who fear AI. Some even loathe it and believe it will replace the human workers and create a dystopian society .....

Click here to view this blog post


I feel the need, the need for coding! sBlogIt! V2 launches in May!

Well, I did plan on having a few months without coding, but finances told me otherwise. The cost of living crisis is getting out of hand, so I decided to do what I'm good at and create something new which I know people will s...

Other bloggers you may like ...

Click here to view this blog post


Focus on the Positive Aspects of Your Life and Career for Lasting Success

Posted by Dave Cordle on https://blog.davecordle.co.uk

Discover how to focus on the positive aspects of your life and career. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude, you can unlock greater fulfilment and su ...

Click here to view this blog post


Understanding the Implications of Failing to Pay the National Minimum Wage

Posted by Roger Eddowes on https://blog.essendonaccounts.co.uk

What are the consequences of not adhering to the UK's National Minimum Wage laws? Not surprisingly, employers face significant penalties and damage to ...

Click here to view this blog post


6 Steps To Getting New Business When You're On Holiday

Posted by Jacky Sherman on https://www.jackysherman.com

Years ago, we were on holiday in Italy. Every day, when I sat by the pool, I'd see a man on a lounger deeply engrossed in his laptop. Every quarter of ...

Click here to view this blog post


Unlock Extra Income with the Rent A Room Scheme

Posted by Helen Beaumont on https://blog.essendontax.co.uk

By participating in the Rent A Room Scheme, you can effortlessly earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free. This applies whether you own your home or are simp ...

Click here to discover sBlogIt! The done-for-you blogging service