Final answer:
Chlorophyll is a green pigment in plants' leaves that captures sunlight for photosynthesis. It absorbs blue and red light but reflects green, making plants appear green. Other pigments can change leaf color, especially when chlorophyll levels decrease, as seen in autumn.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between chlorophyll and the color of plants is crucial in understanding why most plants appear green. Chlorophyll is an abundant pigment found in plant tissues, specifically within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. It plays a vital role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants synthesize food from light energy. Chlorophyll absorbs mainly the blue and red wavelengths of light and reflects green light, which is why plants look green to us. There are different types of chlorophyll, with chlorophyll a and b being dominant in higher plants, making them appear green.
Leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis because they contain these pigments that capture solar energy. However, some leaves may show different colors due to other pigments such as carotenoids, which become visible, for example, in the fall when chlorophyll levels decrease, revealing the hues of autumn leaves.