chlorophyll
Photosynthesis requires it
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that captures light energy for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food.
It gives leaves and stems their characteristic green color.
When chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, other pigments become visible, producing the reds and yellows of fall foliage.
The word combines Greek roots meaning "green" and "leaf."
Tree's photosynthetic organs
- foliagePlant's leafy covering
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- floraPlants of a region
- botanyScience of flora
herbaceous · angiosperms · gymnosperms · ferns · mosses · algae · cyanobacteria · phytoplankton
Plant part separation
- autumnPost-summer cooling period
- deciduousSheds foliage seasonally
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
- senescenceGradual functional decline with age
yellowing · leaf color · perennial · dormancy
Color of vegetation
- colorantSubstance that imparts hue
- carotenoidPlant-derived color compound
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
- hemeIron-porphyrin complex in blood
Radiance from our star
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- stromaSupportive tissue framework
- ATPCell's energy molecule
glucose · autotrophs · energy conversion · stomata · light absorption
leaves
Tree's photosynthetic organs
- foliagePlant's leafy covering
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- floraPlants of a region
botany · herbaceous · angiosperms · gymnosperms · ferns · mosses · algae · cyanobacteria · phytoplankton · kelp
abscission
Plant part separation
- autumnPost-summer cooling period
- deciduousSheds foliage seasonally
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
senescence · yellowing · leaf color · perennial · dormancy
green
Color of vegetation
- colorantSubstance that imparts hue
- carotenoidPlant-derived color compound
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
sunlight
Radiance from our star
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- stromaSupportive tissue framework
ATP · glucose · autotrophs · energy conversion · stomata · light absorption
verdant
Lush with plants
- lushRichly abundant in growth
- flourishingProspering vigorously
- thrivingSucceeding vigorously
vibrant · healthy · vigor · freshness · growth · life · greening · renewal
- plant biologyphotosynthesis, pollination, stamen, pistil, petal
- colorantsdye, dyes, pigment, pigments, tint
- photosynthesisphotosynthesis, PSI, photosystem II, stroma, light absorption
- phytochemistryphytochemicals, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, glycosides
- Biopigmentsmelanin, carotenoid, carotenoids, lutein, lycopene
- chloroplast partsstroma, envelope, lamellae, inner membrane, outer membrane
chlorophyllhemoglobin
Erythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
cytochrome · mitochondria · myoglobin · cellular respiration · catabolism
chlorophyllautumn leaves
Deciduous trees' seasonal shedding
decay · necrosis · senescence · browning · yellowing