chlorophyll

Everyday

1. Chlorophyll is the green substance in plants that soaks up sunlight. tree →
2. Plants use chlorophyll to make their own food from light, water and carbon dioxide. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons chlorophyll explains why leaves are green and how photosynthesis works: chlorophyll captures light energy, and the plant makes sugar and gives off oxygen. In autumn chlorophyll breaks down, so yellow and red colours show in the leaves. Phrases: «green chlorophyll», «chlorophyll in the leaves», «chloroplasts contain chlorophyll».

Examples

• Leaves are green because they contain chlorophyll. tree →
• Chlorophyll helps plants catch sunlight. tree →
• Without chlorophyll a plant cannot make its food. tree →
• In autumn the chlorophyll fades and leaves turn orange. tree →
• Chlorophyll is found inside tiny parts called chloroplasts. tree →
• Seaweed also has chlorophyll. tree →
• A plant kept in the dark loses its green colour. tree →
• We tested leaves for chlorophyll in science. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural. Tricky spelling: chloro-phyll (ch sounds like k, double l at the end): KLOR-o-fill. Not every green thing has chlorophyll, and some plants with red leaves still have it, hidden by other colours. Animals do not have chlorophyll.