Question

what are the principle forms of chlorophyll that take part in photosynthesis in higher plants?

Answer 1

Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are widely distributed amongst bacteria and higher plants. Chlorophyll a is found in all oxygen evolving organisms apart from photosynthetic bacteria. The reaction center of photosynthesis is formed in chlorophyll a. It occurs in distinct spectras as P₆₈₀ or P_700. It directly takes part in the photochemical reaction hence it is called primary photosynthetic pigment.

Other photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll b,c,d,e, carotenoids and phycobilins are called accessory pigments as they do not directly take part in photochemical reaction.