Synthesis of chlorophyll

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: A review of the literature was made in regards to the types of chlorophyll present in various organisms and the synthesis of the most common type, chlorophyll a. An attempt was made to emphasize the characteristics of the chlorophylls and to point out the factors affecting their synthesis.

Findings and Conclusions: There are five basic types of chlorophyll, a, b, c, d, and bacteriochlorophyll. Of these chlorophyll a Is found In largest amounts in higher plants and is the first to be synthesized. The process of photosynthesis is entirely dependent on the presence of chlorophyll in the living plant cell. The chloroplasts are the units containing chlorophyll in the cells and are the sites of this food-making process.

Factors affecting the synthesis of chlorophyll are as follows: genetic factors, light, oxygen, carbohydrates, nitrogen, magnesium, iron, other mineral elements, temperature, water, etc.

The chemical synthesis of chlorophyll goes through a series of about fifteen steps most of which are fairly well understood and the catalytic-enzymes have been partially determined.

Chlorophyll is believed to be synthesized by the same route as that for chlorophyll a but the final steps are different resulting in a slightly different compound being produced at a later time and in smaller amounts.