What is the primary function of accessory pigments like carotenoids and chlorophyll b in photosynthesis?

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Appears in NEET UG
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  • ATo absorb light energy in the blue-green region and transfer it to chlorophyll a.
  • BTo directly convert light energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH).
  • CTo protect the photosystems from photo-oxidation at high light intensities.
  • DBoth A and C.
Explanation

Accessory pigments like carotenoids and chlorophyll b broaden the spectrum of light absorbed and transfer this energy to chlorophyll a (primary function A). They also play a crucial role in photoprotection by dissipating excess light energy, thereby preventing damage to photosynthetic machinery (function C).

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