Plants are the significant parts of nature on earth. They help us in providing oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide. This is the basic advantage of plants. But plants are useful in everyday life. People living in big cities are not attached to nature. Therefore, to spend their time in the environment, they wander off to places where nature is in abundance. Unfortunately, plants are being cut now and then in cities to increase the infrastructure.

Now, how do plants undertake several processes to keep themselves alive and growing? Well, there are various processes through which the plants gain food and water for themselves. Each plant grows in a certain way. For instance, a sunflower needs the sun’s rays to develop and grow into a beautiful plant. There are two components present in plants that help them in growing. They are chlorophyll and chloroplast. These two components help the plants in development. These two terms contrast from one another in certain aspects. So, let us begin by understanding the fundamental meanings of these terms.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is defined as the green pigment that helps the plants in making them green. These pigments are generally used by organisms that transform the sunlight into an energy source for plants. Chlorophyll is essential for undertaking the process of photosynthesis. Without chlorophyll, there can be no photosynthesis. In plants, carbon dioxide and water are converted into starch. Starch includes oxygen and carbohydrates that help in the development of the plant. This starch is further used by plants to make their food. Through photosynthesis, the plants grow and develop. The main function of chlorophyll is to absorb sunlight. It is interesting to note that plants cannot absorb green color from the sunlight. That is why chlorophyll is necessary. Well, there are four significant kinds of chlorophyll, i.e., Chlorophyll A, Chlorophyll B, Xanthophyll, and Carotene.

Interestingly, chlorophyll has a lot of advantages on the human body. If we eat freshly green foods, the energy is transferred into our bloodstream and cells. Foods rich in chlorophyll help our body in building oxygenated red blood cells. Now, let us talk about the chemical structure of chlorophyll. Generally, most of the chlorophylls are classified as chlorins. The molecular formula of chlorophyll A (C2 Group) is -CH₃. Similarly, the molecular formula of chlorophyll B (C2 Group) is also the same. Chlorophyll helps in the growth of plants and helps in their development.

Chloroplast

Chloroplasts are defined as the organelles that help in conducting the process of photosynthesis. A chloroplast is a plastid that comprises of chlorophyll. Chloroplasts help in the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Chloroplast helps in the sustenance of plants and life on earth. One of the common examples of chloroplast includes a cell in algae that takes in CO₂ and releases oxygen in the process of creating sugar. The main function of chloroplast is to undertake the process of photosynthesis. Amino acid synthesis, fatty acid synthesis, etc., are some other processes conducted by the chloroplast. Unlike chlorophyll, chloroplasts convert light into sugars. Now, let us talk about the structure of chloroplasts. The plants present on land are lens-shaped. There are different shapes of chloroplasts, and these are seen in organisms like algae, edges of the cell, etc. Every chloroplast has three membranes, i.e., the outer chloroplast membrane, thylakoid system, and the inner chloroplast membrane.

Both chlorophyll and chloroplasts conduct the process of photosynthesis. Now, there are several differences between chlorophyll and chloroplasts. So, let us discuss them in brief.

So, these are some of the contrasting points between chlorophyll and chloroplast. Now, there are certain characteristics associated with chlorophyll and chloroplast. So, let us have a look at them.

Characteristics of Chlorophyll

1. Chlorophyll is the fat-soluble organic molecule comprising of a tetrapyrrole ring.
2. Chlorophyll is responsible for helping the plants to grow green and healthy.
3. It is found in mesophyll cells.
4. The green color is reflected through the absorption of blue and red wavelengths.

Characteristics of Chloroplast

1. Chloroplast comprises of organelles are found in all the green plants.
2. Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, thereby converting the light energy to chemical energy.
3. Chloroplasts help in enclosing the fluid inside the double membrane.
4. Chloroplast consists of tiny, floating, and flattened sacs called as thylakoids.

So, these are some of the characteristics of chlorophyll and chloroplasts. Both chlorophyll and chloroplasts help in the growth and development of the plant. Chlorophyll and chloroplasts conduct the process of photosynthesis. Thus, both of them help in providing food, nutrients, and water to the plants and organisms.

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