Which fractions of the visible spectrum of solar radiations are primarily absorbed by carotenoids of the higher plants?
- Blue and green
- Green and red
- Red and violet
- Violet and blue.
Answer
(4) Violet and blue.
Solution
Carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) are yellow–orange accessory pigments.
⇒ They absorb mainly in the short-wavelength region of the visible spectrum (about 400–500 nm), i.e. violet and blue light, and reflect yellow–orange.
As per NCERT, accessory pigments absorb light of wavelengths not absorbed by chlorophyll a and transfer the energy to it.
∴ Carotenoids primarily absorb violet and blue light.
Answer: (4)