Question

Red algae is red due to the presence of

• A. R-Phycocyanin
• B. R-Phycoerythrin
• C. C-Phycocyanin
• D. C-Phycoerythrin

Answer 1

The correct option is B R-Phycoerythrin

R-Phycoerythrin is a protein that belongs to the phycobiliprotein family and acts as an accessory pigment for photosynthesis in Rhodophyta. The red pigment R-phycoerythrin can absorb the blue-green spectrum of light from the deep seas along with chlorophyll-a for photosynthesis. In deep waters, more phycoerythrin is formed as compared to chlorophyll making the red algae look more red.

So, the correct answer is option B.