Chlorophyll A

1
Chlorophyll A

• Andy Young, Chris Walthers, Fei Fei Xue, Emmy
  Wilde

2
Chlorophyll A vs. Chlorophyll B

• Chlorophyll A
• CH3 side chain
• More extreme wavelength absorption
• Can send photons to the primary electron acceptor

• Chlorophyll B
• CHO side chain
• Less extreme wavelength absorption
• Can send electrons to Chlorophyll A

3

• Chlorophyll A absorbs light that is further on
  the blue end and red end of the color spectrum.
• Chlorophyll B absorbs less extreme wavelengths of
  blue and red.

4
Wheres Waldo?
X
---------------------------
Chlorophyll

• Chlorophyll is located primarily in the mesophyll
  cells
• Located in the chloroplasts
• Photosynthesis occurs across the thylakoid
  membrane

5
Chlorophyll Photosystem

• The Chlorophyll photosystem is made up of a
  cluster of individual molecules that includes
  Chlorophyll A, B, carotenoids, and anthocyanin
• Only Chlorophyll A can transmit photons to the
  primary electron acceptor

6
Primary Electron Acceptor

• Many molecules absorb electrons
• Send electrons to reaction center chlorophyll A
• This chlorophyll molecule sends electron to
  primary electron acceptor, where it begins
  glucose production

7

• Hydrocarbon chain anchors Chlorophyll in
  thylakoid membrane
• Photons are absorbed

8

• Chlorophyll B
• Chlorophyll A (can transmit electrons to primary
  electron acceptor)

9
Implications of Chlorophyll

• Alternating single and double bonds delocalizes
  electrons
• These delocalized electrons improve light
  absorption because electrons can move easily
• Scientists can use these delocalized electrons to
  create improved solar panels
• Because chlorophyll absorbs certain wavelengths,
  scientists could create colored molecules for
  dyes.

10
THE END