IGCSEScienceCambridge (CIE)Combined ScienceBiologyRevision Notes6. Plant NutritionPhotosynthesis & Leaf StructureChlorophyll

Chlorophyll (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science: Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 0653

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn

Updated on

Cambridge (CIE) Combined Science: BiologyCambridge (CIE) Biology

Chlorophyll

  • Chlorophyll:

    • is a green pigment that is found in chloroplasts within plant cells

    • reflects green light, giving plants their characteristic green colour

    • absorbs light energy; its role is to transfer energy from light into energy in chemicals, for the synthesis of carbohydrates, such as glucose

  • Photosynthesis will not occur in the absence of chlorophyll

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Recall that the word equation for photosynthesis is:

c a r b o n space d i o x i d e space thin space plus thin space w a t e r space rightwards arrow g l u c o s e plus thin space o x y g e n subscript blank

The reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen only occurs in the presence of light, which is absorbed by chlorophyll in chloroplasts. No chlorophyll, no photosynthesis!

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

I would just like to say a massive thank you for putting together such a brilliant, easy to use website.I really think using this site helped me secure my top gradesin science and maths. You really did save my exams! Thank you.

Beth
IGCSE Student

This website is soooo useful and I can’t ever thank you enough for organising questions by topic like this. Furthermore, the name of the website could not have been more appropriate as it literally did SAVE MY EXAMS!

Fathima
A Level Student

Incredible! SO worth my money, the revision notes have everything I need to know and are so easy to understand. I actually enjoy revising! It makes me feel a lot more confident for my GCSEs in a few months.

Kate
GCSE Student

Absolutely brilliant, both my girls used it for A levels and GCSE. It's saves on paper copies, also beneficial exam questions ranked from easy to hard. It's removed a lot of stress from the exams.

Sameera
Parent

Just to say that your resources are the best I have seen and I have been teaching chemistry at different levels for about 40 years

Mark
Chemistry Teacher

Excellent

Our rating represented in Trustpilot stars
Read more reviews

Build on this topic

Check your understandingTry an Exam Question on this topic
Previous:PhotosynthesisNext:Investigating the Need for Chlorophyll, Light & Carbon Dioxide
Author
Reviewer
Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Jenna Quinn

Reviewer: Jenna Quinn

Expertise: Content Creator

Jenna studied at Cardiff University before training to become a science teacher at the University of Bath specialising in Biology (although she loves teaching all three sciences at GCSE level!). Teaching is her passion, and with 10 years experience teaching across a wide range of specifications – from GCSE and A Level Biology in the UK to IGCSE and IB Biology internationally – she knows what is required to pass those Biology exams.