The green pigment which traps light energy for photosynthesis.

The green pigment which traps light energy for photosynthesis.

• A. Chloroplast
• B. Chlorophyll
• C. Xanthophyll
• D. Carotene

Answer: (B)

Light capture in photosynthesis is carried out by pigments located in the chloroplasts. The green pigment that traps light energy is chlorophyll, the primary pigment that absorbs light mainly in the blue and red parts of the spectrum and uses that energy to drive the light-dependent reactions. The green color we see comes from chlorophyll reflecting green light. There are other pigments, like xanthophyll and carotene, which are accessory pigments that broaden the range of light absorbed and help protect the plant, but they do not drive the main energy capture on their own. Chloroplast is the site where this all happens, not a pigment.

Light capture in photosynthesis is carried out by pigments located in the chloroplasts. The green pigment that traps light energy is chlorophyll, the primary pigment that absorbs light mainly in the blue and red parts of the spectrum and uses that energy to drive the light-dependent reactions. The green color we see comes from chlorophyll reflecting green light. There are other pigments, like xanthophyll and carotene, which are accessory pigments that broaden the range of light absorbed and help protect the plant, but they do not drive the main energy capture on their own. Chloroplast is the site where this all happens, not a pigment.