text: is chorella and chlorophyll the same thing?   not at all. chlorella is a genus of unicellular green algae belonging to the phylum chlorophyta. chlorophytes comprise a major component of the phytoplankton. chlorella is a popular food supplement in japan and is marketed as a nutritional supplement in the united states. chlorella, along with wheat grass, barley grass and spirulina, are sometimes referred to as "green foods." there are several species of chlorella. those most commonly used in nutritional supplements are chlorella vulgaris and chlorella pyrenoidosa.  chlorella is rich in protein. in addition, it is rich in chlorophyll, carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, flavoxanthin, loraxanthin, neoxanthin and violaxanthin. chlorella also contains the xanthophyll, echinenone.  chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from co2 and water. this process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining the life processes of all plants. since animals and humans obtain their food supply by eating plants, photosynthesis can be said to be the source of our life also.  ;-d chlorophyll is the green coloration in leaves.