Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Some Major Steps in the Understanding
of the Chemistry and Biochemistry of Chl
Meaningful scientific discoveries are those that help
humans achieve a better understanding of themselves,
of their environment and of the universe at large, as well
as those that contribute to the betterment of the human,
spiritual, psychological and physical condition.
(Constantin A. Rebeiz)
Since the turn of the nineteenth century, the green color of plants has attracted the
attention of a wide spectrum of scientists. In this section an effort will be made to
list chronologically important scientific discoveries that had a clear impact on our
understanding of the structure and function of porphyrins and chlorophyll (Ikeuchi
and Murakami
1982
) in particular. The many different bacteriochlorophylls are not
considered in this presentation.
1.1 Some Major Steps in the Understanding of the
Chemical Structure of Porphyrins and Chl
In this historical section, emphasis is placed on important scientific discoveries that had
a clear impact on the understanding of the chemical structure of porphyrins and Chl.
1.1.1 Pelletier, 1818
In 1818, Pelletier and Caventou first used the word chlorophyll to describe the
pigment complex responsible for the green color of leaves (Pelletier and Caventou
1818
). Since then the green pigments of higher and lower plants has been called
Chlorophyll.
