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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the primary pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants responsible for capturing light energy during photosynthesis?
A
Carotene
B
Chlorophyll b
C
Chlorophyll a
D
Xanthophyll
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of pigments in photosynthesis. Pigments are molecules that absorb specific wavelengths of light and are essential for capturing light energy during photosynthesis.
Step 2: Learn about the types of pigments found in chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain several pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids (like carotene and xanthophyll), each with distinct roles in light absorption.
Step 3: Focus on chlorophyll a. Chlorophyll a is the primary pigment responsible for capturing light energy. It absorbs light most efficiently in the blue-violet and red regions of the spectrum and plays a central role in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
Step 4: Compare chlorophyll a with other pigments. Chlorophyll b and carotenoids (carotene and xanthophyll) are accessory pigments. They help broaden the range of light absorption but are not the primary pigments for capturing light energy.
Step 5: Conclude that chlorophyll a is the correct answer because it is the main pigment directly involved in the conversion of light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.