On the correlation between the amounts of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a forms in various plants

The relative amounts of chlorophyll b (Ch) and various chlorophyll a (C„) forms in nine plant species were determined by computer analysis of low-temperature absorption spectra. The results show that (a) the amount of Ct is inversely related to the sum of the amounts of the bulk Co from both photosystems, (b) a direct correlation is likely to occur between the amounts of Cb and the C„ bands peaking around 685 nm and 640 nm, and (c) no correlation exists between the amounts of Cb and the C„662 and Co695 forms. These data are interpreted to suggest that Cb is capable of taking over the antenna function of the bulk C„, whereas it may occur in a complex carrying the C„685 form as well.