The green color of plant cells primarily comes from a pigment called chlorophyll, which is found in chloroplasts. Chlorophyll is crucial for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
When light hits a plant, chlorophyll absorbs most of the wavelengths of light, except for green. It reflects green light, which is why we perceive plants as green. There are two main types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, each playing different roles in capturing light and contributing to the photosynthetic process.
In addition to chlorophyll, other pigments like carotenoids exist in plant cells, contributing to yellow, orange, and red colors, especially in fruits and autumn leaves. However, chlorophyll is the dominant pigment, giving plants their characteristic green color throughout the growing season.