- chlorophyll b
- Chlorophyll Chlo"ro*phyll, n. [Gr. chlwro`s light green +
fy`llon leaf: cf. F. chlorophylle.]
1. (Bot.) Literally, leaf green; a green granular matter
formed in the cells of the leaves (and other parts exposed
to light) of plants, to which they owe their green color,
and through which all ordinary assimilation of plant food
takes place. Similar chlorophyll granules have been found
in the tissues of the lower animals. [Written also
{chlorophyl}.]
[1913 Webster]
2. any of a group of green pigments found in photosynthetic organisms. {Chlorophyll a} and {chlorophyll b} are found in higher plants and green algae; {chlorophyll c} is found in certain types of marine algae. Chemically, it has a porphyrin ring with a magnesium ion bound to the four central nitrogens, and has a phytyl side chain. It is essential for photosynthesis in most plants. {Chlorophyll a} has formula {C55H72N4O5Mg}.
Syn: chlorophyll. [WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
