Question

What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

• A. It absorbs light energy and converts it to chemical energy.
• B. It synthesizes glucose from carbon dioxide.
• C. It breaks down glucose to release energy.
• D. It transports oxygen to other parts of the plant.

Hint:

Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis as it captures light energy that is used to produce chemical energy, ultimately leading to the production of glucose and oxygen.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plant cells, primarily in the chloroplasts. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants produce their food.
- Option (1) is correct: Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, primarily from the blue and red wavelengths of light. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is known as the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where the absorbed light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.
- Option (2) is incorrect: While glucose is synthesized during photosynthesis, chlorophyll does not directly synthesize glucose. It only facilitates the light-dependent reactions that provide energy for the synthesis of glucose.
- Option (3) is incorrect: The breakdown of glucose to release energy occurs in cellular respiration, not in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is involved in the synthesis of glucose, not its breakdown.
- Option (4) is incorrect: Chlorophyll does not transport oxygen; it is involved in the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, which leads to the production of oxygen as a byproduct.
Thus, the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis is to absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy.