Photosynthetic pigments common to all algae :-a)Chlorophyll 'b' and caroteneb)Chlorophyll 'a' and 'b'c)Chlorophyll 'a' and carotened)Chlorophyll and xanthophyllCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Chlorophyll b is the major photosynthetic accessory pigment in all the green algae, the photosynthetic euglenids and allplants. ... In diatoms, golden algae and brown algae chlorophyll c, instead ofchlorophyll b, is the accessory chlorophylland fucoxanthin is the predominant carotenoid in the chloroplasts.

Answer

These chlorophyll types are not common to all the algae. All algae and plants possess one or more kinds of carotenoid pigments. Carotenoids collectively include the hydrocarbon carotenes (for example, beta carotene, ) and their hydroxyl derivatives, the xanthophylls.,,,

Answer

Chlorophyll a and carotene are the photosynthetic pigments that are common to all algae.

Chlorophyll a:
- Chlorophyll a is a green pigment that is found in all photosynthetic organisms, including algae.
- It is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis and plays a crucial role in capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy.
- Chlorophyll a absorbs light most efficiently in the red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, while reflecting green light, which gives algae their characteristic green color.

Carotene:
- Carotene is a yellow-orange pigment that is also found in algae and other photosynthetic organisms.
- It acts as an accessory pigment, which means it assists chlorophyll a in capturing light energy.
- Carotene absorbs light most efficiently in the blue-green region of the spectrum, complementing the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a.
- By absorbing light in this region, carotene expands the range of wavelengths that can be utilized for photosynthesis.

Why chlorophyll b and xanthophyll are not common to all algae:
- Chlorophyll b is another type of chlorophyll pigment that is present in some algae, but not all.
- It is often found in addition to chlorophyll a, and its main function is to broaden the range of light wavelengths that can be absorbed, allowing algae to capture a wider spectrum of light energy.
- Xanthophylls are yellow pigments that are also found in some algae, but not all.
- They play a role in light harvesting and photoprotection, absorbing excess light energy and dissipating it as heat to prevent damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the photosynthetic pigments that are common to all algae are chlorophyll a and carotene. These pigments work together to efficiently capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a is the primary pigment, while carotene acts as an accessory pigment, expanding the range of light wavelengths that can be utilized. Chlorophyll b and xanthophylls are not universally present in all algae, but are found in some species as additional pigments with specific functions.

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