chlorophyll
KLOR-uh-fil
/ˈklɔːr.ə.fɪl/
The green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
Refers specifically to the biological chemical compound responsible for absorbing light energy.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1818 by French chemists Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre-Joseph Pelletier, who isolated the green substance from leaves. They combined Greek 'chloros' (pale green, also origin of chlorine) with 'phyllon' (leaf) to literally mean 'green leaf pigment'.
Word relationships
- leaf-green pigment: A literal descriptive phrase rather than the biochemical name.
Commonly confused with
- chloroplast: A chloroplast is the organelle cell structure; chlorophyll is the green molecule inside it.
Word family
- chlorophyllous (adjective): Containing chlorophyll.
Collocations
- chlorophyll concentration
- synthesis of chlorophyll
- chlorophyll breakdown
Example sentences
- "As autumn approaches, trees break down chlorophyll, revealing yellow carotenoids." Botany textbook explanation
- "Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red wavelengths while reflecting green light." Scientific description
Memory hook
CHLORine is green-yellow, and PHYLL is like a leaf full of filler green. Green leaf pigment absorber.
When not to use
Do not confuse chlorophyll with the whole leaf or general foliage; it is specifically the green molecule inside plant cells.
Fun facts
- Chlorophyll is structurally almost identical to human hemoglobin, except hemoglobin has iron at its center while chlorophyll has magnesium!
Related words
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