The main pigment responsible for capturing sunlight during photosynthesis is chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells and algae. It plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis by capturing sunlight energy and converting it into chemical energy.

Importance of Chlorophyll:
- Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of plants. It absorbs light in the red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and reflects green light, giving plants their characteristic color.
- It is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll molecules absorb light energy and transfer it to other molecules in the chloroplasts, where it is used to produce glucose.
- Chlorophyll is involved in capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy. This energy is stored in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are used in the later stages of photosynthesis to produce glucose.
- It plays a role in the synthesis of other pigments and compounds necessary for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll molecules are involved in the production of carotenoids, xanthophylls, and other accessory pigments that help capture additional wavelengths of light and protect the chlorophyll from damage.

Types of Chlorophyll:
- Chlorophyll a: This is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis. It absorbs light most efficiently in the red and blue regions of the spectrum and reflects green light.
- Chlorophyll b: It is an accessory pigment that absorbs light in the blue and red-orange regions and transfers this energy to chlorophyll a for photosynthesis.

Conclusion:
Chlorophyll is the main pigment responsible for capturing sunlight during photosynthesis. It plays a crucial role in absorbing light energy and converting it into chemical energy, which is utilized in the synthesis of glucose and other essential compounds. Without chlorophyll, plants would not be able to carry out photosynthesis and produce the energy they need for growth and survival.