Both chlorophyll A and B are essential for photosynthesis, but chlorophyll A plays an important role than chlorophyll B. Chlorophyll A has large molecules while chlorophyll B has smaller molecules.

Chlorophyll A

Chlorophyll A is used exclusively in the oxygenated part of photosynthesis. The light part of the violet and red wavelengths is mainly absorbed in this process. Green light is reflected so we see green plants. In the electron transport chain, chlorophyll is responsible for donating the primary electronics. Therefore, it is essential for photosynthesis in eukaryocytes, cynobacteria, and prochlorophytes. In the antenna complex, chlorophyll transfers energy and ends the reaction center where p680 and p700 meet. It is not the only property that is used in photosynthesis, but it is essential to release chemical energy. Little chlorophyll A is found in anaerobic autotrophs and bacteria.

Chlorophyll B

One more form of chlorophyll is chlorophyll B. It is also responsible for blocking energy from sunlight and may also be called a photoreceptor. It is more soluble than chlorophyll A, because it has a carbonyl group, in polar solvents. In general, it absorbs blue light and reflects yellow wavelength light. Therefore, it looks yellow. Around photosystem 2, the light-gathering antenna, is heavily surrounded by chlorophyll B. The shade-adapted chloroplast has a higher ratio of photosystem 2 to 1. Because of this, the ratio of chlorophyll B is higher and chlorophyll A is less. This is an adaptive change. By shading the chloroplast, chlorophyll B increases the wavelength range of absorbed light. It occurs alongside chlorophyll A but is an accessory chloroplast. The advantages of this is that it acts as a pop-up backup. It has a molecular weight of 907. Chlorophyll B has a difference in its functional group that binds to porphyrin that makes it stand out in the photosystem. It mainly absorbs the red and blue light from the sun. It also plays a role in the synthesis of glucose in the plant.

• Both chlorophyll A and B are essential for photosynthesis, but chlorophyll A plays an important role than chlorophyll B.
• Chlorophyll A is a main pigment, while chlorophyll B is an accessory pigment.
• The formula for chlorophyll A is C ₅₅ H ₇₇ O ₅ N ₄ while the formula for chlorophyll B is C ₅₅ H ₇₀ O ₆ N ₄
• 873 is the molecular weight of chlorophyll A, while 907 is the molecular weight of chlorophyll B.
• Chlorophyll A has large molecules, while chlorophyll B has smaller molecules.
• The chlorophyll A: B ratio is 3: 1.