NEETBotanyPhotosynthesis in Higher Plants
What role do accessory pigments like chlorophyll b, xanthophylls, and carotenoids play in photosynthesis?
Options
- AThey are the main pigments responsible for photosynthesis
- BThey absorb light and transfer energy to chlorophyll a
- CThey do not play any role in photosynthesis
- DThey only protect the plant from UV radiation
Correct answer
B. They absorb light and transfer energy to chlorophyll a
Step-by-step solution
The wavelengths at which there is maximum absorption by chlorophyll a, i.e., in the blue and the red regions, also shows higher rate of photosynthesis. Hence, we can conclude that chlorophyll a is the chief pigment associated with photosynthesis.Though chlorophyll is the major pigment responsible for trapping light, other thylakoid pigments like chlorophyll b, xanthophylls and carotenoids, which are called accessory pigments, also absorb light and transfer the energy to chlorophyll a. I ndeed, they not only enable