Chlorophyll and magnesium
Bioinorganic Chemistry (Intro) · Chemistry
Study notes
Why are plants green? Connect to chlorophyll's absorption. Step 1: Chlorophyll a absorbs strongly at ~430 nm (blue) and ~660 nm (red). Step 2: Green light (~550 nm) is absorbed weakly → mostly reflected/transmitted. Step 3: Our eyes see the reflected green. Step 4: The absorbed red/blue photons drive photosynthesis — green is the leftover!