Suppose
there were plants that had a high concentration of Chlorophyll-b,
but lacked chlorophyll-a,
would it carry out photosynthesis? Then why do plants have
chlorophyll-b and
other accessory pigments?
Suppose there were plants that had a high concentration of Chlorophyll-b, but lacked chlorophyll-a, would it carry out photosynthesis? Then why do plants have chlorophyll-b and other accessory pigments?
Chlorophyll-a
molecules act as antenna molecules. They get excited by absorbing
light and emit electrons during cyclic and non-cyclic
photophosphorylations. They form the reaction centres for both
photosystems I and II. Chlorophyll-b and other photosynthetic
pigments such as carotenoids and xanthophylls act as accessory
pigments. Their role is to absorb energy and transfer it to
chlorophyll-a. Carotenoids and xanthophylls also protect the
chlorophyll molecule from photo-oxidation. Therefore, chlorophyll-a
is essential for photosynthesis.
If any
plant were to lack chlorophyll-a and contain a high
concentration of chlorophyll-b, then this plant would not
undergo photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll-a molecules act as antenna molecules. They get excited by absorbing light and emit electrons during cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylations. They form the reaction centres for both photosystems I and II. Chlorophyll-b and other photosynthetic pigments such as carotenoids and xanthophylls act as accessory pigments. Their role is to absorb energy and transfer it to chlorophyll-a. Carotenoids and xanthophylls also protect the chlorophyll molecule from photo-oxidation. Therefore, chlorophyll-a is essential for photosynthesis.
If any plant were to lack chlorophyll-a and contain a high concentration of chlorophyll-b, then this plant would not undergo photosynthesis.
