Meaning & use

chlorophyll a

noun·Advanced

The most common form of chlorophyll, a green pigment essential for photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.

See it in a sentence

Chlorophyll a absorbs sunlight and converts it into chemical energy inside the plant's chloroplasts.

Scientists measure chlorophyll a levels in lake water to estimate algae growth.

A note on using this word

Chlorophyll a is distinguished from chlorophyll b by a slightly different molecular structure and light-absorption pattern.

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