Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Chlorophyll + hν (blue/red) → Chlorophyll* → Chlorophyll + hν (red)

Descripción general

Chlorophyll absorbs blue (430 nm) and red (660 nm) light, reaching an excited singlet state. Most energy is transferred to the photosynthetic reaction center, but a small fraction (1–2%) is re-emitted as red fluorescence (680–740 nm). This fluorescence is a direct indicator of photosynthetic efficiency.

Ejemplo cotidiano

If you shine a UV light on a spinach extract, it glows red due to chlorophyll fluorescence — a common chemistry demonstration.

Importancia industrial

La medición de la fluorescencia de la clorofila (fluorometría PAM) se utiliza en agricultura, silvicultura y ecología para evaluar la salud y el estrés de las plantas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Chlorophyll Fluorescence?
The balanced equation is: Chlorophyll + hν (blue/red) → Chlorophyll* → Chlorophyll + hν (red).
What type of reaction is Chlorophyll Fluorescence?
Chlorophyll Fluorescence is a photochemical reaction. It is reversible under certain conditions.
Is Chlorophyll Fluorescence exothermic or endothermic?
Chlorophyll Fluorescence is exothermic (releases energy).