10 Key Difference between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast with Pictures

What is the difference between chlorophyll and chloroplast?

Autotrophs make their food by trapping light from the sun and combine with water and carbon dioxide. The process of photosynthesis requires chlorophyll and chloroplast to take place.

The core difference between chlorophyll and chloroplast is that chlorophyll is the green pigment in green plants while chloroplast is the green structures that provide a site for photosynthetic activity.

Difference between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast

What is a Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is the green photosynthetic pigment that is involved in the process of photosynthesis. It is responsible for trapping light and transferring high energy electrons to the photosystem.

Chlorophyll is the reason behind the green matter on the chloroplast. It is found in all plants, algae, and some bacteria.

What is a Chloroplast?

The chloroplast is a cell organelle where photosynthesis takes place. They have a double membrane that is semi-permeable to certain ions and molecules.

The double membrane contains stromal fluid with suspended thylakoids. The grana are the site where photosynthesis takes place.

Comparison Table: Chlorophyll Vs Chloroplast

Basic Terms Chlorophyll Chloroplast
Meaning It is the pigment that gives plants the green color It is the organelle responsible for photosynthesis
Type Type a and b No types
Significance It is the green pigment involved in photosynthesis It is the organelle that provides a site for photosynthesis
Parts They are part of the chloroplast The part of plant cell
Pigment It has green pigment and carotenoids which have red and yellow pigments. Do not have any pigment
Presence Inside the chloroplast In the leaves of the plants
Occurrence Plants, algae, and bacteria All plants and algae
Composition Do not contain DNA Contain DNA
Structure Consist of a central magnesium atom, tetrapyrrole ring, and a side phytol chain Consists of the outer membrane, intercellular space, outer membrane, and specialized thylakoid membrane

Core Difference between Chlorophyll and Chloroplast

  1. Chlorophyll is a plant pigment while chloroplast is a cell organelle
  2. Chloroplast contains DNA while chlorophyll do not contain organelles
  3. Chlorophyll occurs in the chloroplast while chloroplast in the plant leaves
  4. Chlorophyll is found in plants, algae, and bacteria while chloroplast in all plants and algae
  5. Chlorophyll contains central magnesium atm, tetrapyrrole ring, and phytol chain while chloroplast contain outer membrane, intercellular space, and stroma
  6. Chlorophyll has green pigment and carotenoids which has red and yellow pigments while chloroplast does not contain any pigment
  7. The chloroplast is part of the plant cell while chlorophyll is part of the chloroplast
  8. Chlorophyll has several types while chloroplast have no any type
  9. Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of the plant while chloroplast is the site where photosynthesis takes.
  10. Both light and dark reaction takes place in chloroplast while chlorophyll is the pigment that traps light for photosynthesis

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Comparison Video

Summary

The main difference between chloroplast and chlorophyll is that chloroplast is the organelle responsible for photosynthesis while chlorophyll is the green pigment of the plant. Both chlorophyll and chloroplast are found in plants.

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