BRAINCAKEChlorophyll
Chloroplasts contain several photosynthetic pigments, molecules that absorb particular wavelengths of light. A mixture of pigments lets the plant use a wider range of wavelengths than any single pigment could.
The main pigments are:
• Chlorophyll a: the primary pigment. It is found in the reaction centres of the photosystems, where absorbed light energy excites electrons that drive the light-dependent reactions.
• Chlorophyll b: an accessory pigment with a slightly different structure, absorbing slightly different wavelengths.
• Carotenoids (carotene and xanthophylls): yellow and orange accessory pigments that absorb blue-violet light. They also protect chlorophyll from damage by excess light.
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More in Photosynthesis
- Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
- The Process of Photosynthesis
- Chloroplasts
- Absorption Spectrum Chlorophyll
- Chromatography
- Photosystems
- The Light-Dependent Reactions
- Cyclic Photophosphorylation
All 20 lessons in Photosynthesis · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics