Question

The pigment that absorbs red and far red light in plants is

• A. Cytochrome
• B. Phytochrome
• C. Carotene
• D. Xanthophyll

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Phytochromes are a class of pigments that control most photomorphogenic responses in higher plants. Important plant responses that are regulated by the phytochrome system include photoperiodic induction of flowering, chloroplast development, leaf senescence and leaf abscission. Exposure to red light converts the chromoprotein to the functionally active form, while darkness or exposure to far-red light converts the chromophore to the inactive form. Plants grow toward sunlight because the red light from the sun converts the chromoprotein into the active form which triggers the plant growth.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.