chlorophylldriven

Chlorophylldriven is an adjective used to describe processes or systems in which chlorophyll or chlorophyll-like pigments provide the primary source of light energy to drive chemical reactions. The term is often applied to photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, but it can also describe artificial or biohybrid systems designed to emulate chlorophyll-based energy capture.

In natural photosynthesis, chlorophyll molecules absorb light, become electronically excited, and transfer energy to a reaction center. This initiates an electron transport chain that pumps protons across a membrane, generating ATP and reducing power in the form of NADPH. Those energy carriers are used to fix carbon dioxide into carbohydrates via the Calvin cycle. The concept emphasizes the central role of chlorophyll as the main light absorber and energy transmitter, though other pigments extend light capture across the spectrum.

Chlorophylldriven contexts include intact photosynthetic organisms, engineered crops with enhanced chlorophyll efficiency, and laboratory or industrial efforts to build chlorophyll-based solar harvesters or biohybrid devices. Researchers explore chlorophyll derivatives, chlorophyllin complexes, and biomimetic assemblies to improve light absorption, energy transfer, and stability under different conditions. Applications range from sustainable agriculture and bioenergy to sensors and solar-to-fuel technologies.

Notes: The term is descriptive rather than taxonomic and may be used flexibly by researchers to highlight the chlorophyll-dominated energy flow in a system.