What are pigments and which is the chief pigment associated with photosynthesis?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Pigments are light-absorbing molecules that capture specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The chief pigment in photosynthesis is chlorophyll a, which absorbs maximally at 430 nm (blue) and 662 nm (red) wavelengths and appears green because it reflects green light (500-600 nm).
Other photosynthetic pigments include:
- Chlorophyll b (accessory pigment, yellow-green)
- Carotenoids (β-carotene, yellow to orange)
- Xanthophylls (yellow pigments with oxygen-containing groups)
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