Plants use magnesium ions to make chlorophyll , the green pigment that allows them to absorb light energy for photosynthesis.

Quick Scoop

  • Magnesium ions sit at the center of each chlorophyll molecule, so without magnesium, plants cannot build chlorophyll and their leaves lose their green color.
  • Because chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis, magnesium is also indirectly crucial for making carbohydrates (like glucose) from carbon dioxide and water.
  • Magnesium further helps activate many enzymes involved in energy transfer (ATP) and protein formation, but the classic exam-style answer to “what do plants use magnesium ions to make?” is chlorophyll.

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