Which pigment gives plants their green color and helps absorb light for photosynthesis?

• A. Carotene
• B. Chlorophyll
• C. Xanthophyll
• D. Melanin

Answer: (B)

Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives plants their green color and drives photosynthesis. It absorbs blue and red light very well and reflects green light, which is why leaves look green. This pigment sits in the chloroplasts and uses the absorbed light energy to power the chemical reactions that convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into sugars and oxygen. Other pigments like carotene and xanthophyll are also present and help broaden the range of light absorbed and protect the chlorophyll, but they don’t give plants their green color and aren’t the primary pigment for capturing light energy. Melanin isn’t involved in plant photosynthesis.