What role does chlorophyll play in the process of photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll's primary role in photosynthesis is to absorb light energy, which is essential for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll molecules are located. The absorbed light energy, specifically from the blue and red portions of the light spectrum, excites electrons in the chlorophyll, initiating a series of reactions known as the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

During these reactions, the light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH. This chemical energy is then used in the subsequent light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide. Therefore, chlorophyll is crucial for harnessing solar energy, making it a key component in the photosynthetic process.