Question

Which protists groups have similarity in pigment composition?

• A. Red algae and brown algae
• B. Green algae and blue green algae
• C. Kelps and diatoms
• D. Diatoms and euglenoids

Answer 1

The correct option is C Kelps and diatoms

Pigments are the chemical compounds which reflect only certain wavelengths of visible light. In fact, the presence of pigments and its ability to absorb certain wavelengths of light brings in color to flowers, corals and even algae thus identifying them as green algae, blue-green algae, red algae or brown and yellow brown algae. While the major photosynthetic pigments, that occur in various algae are chlorophyll, carotenoids (carotene and xanthophylls) and phycobilins, algae shows similarities in color and characteristics due the similarities in pigment composition. Diatoms and Kelps are protists which have yellowish-brown chloroplasts which contain pigments such as carotenoid and fucoxanthin. Since, carotenoids cannot transfer sunlight energy directly to photosynthetic pathway, it is called as accessory pigment. Further, the composition of xanthophyll pigment fucoxanthin gives Kelps (large form of brown Algae) and diatoms the brown color.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.