What role does chlorophyll play in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll acts as the primary light-absorbing pigment in photosynthesis. It captures energy from sunlight and transfers it to electrons inside chloroplasts, starting the chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Without chlorophyll, plants could not use sunlight as an energy source. It absorbs light most efficiently in the blue (≈430 nm) and red (≈660 nm) regions of the spectrum and reflects green, which is why plants appear green. By energizing electrons in the photosystems, chlorophyll enables the formation of ATP and NADPH—energy carriers used in the Calvin cycle to make glucose. This process stores solar energy as chemical energy, fueling plant growth and providing oxygen for other organisms. In short, chlorophyll is the gateway that turns sunlight into the biochemical power driving nearly all life on Earth.