alleryStart learning →What is the role of carotenoids in photosynthesis?
AThey split water to release oxygen
BThey dispose of excess energy safely
CThey fix carbon dioxide into sugars
DThey pump protons into the lumen
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. They dispose of excess energy safely
1. Carotenoids function as photosynthetic pigments that are very efficient at disposing of excess energy.
2. A leaf in full sun must process an enormous amount of energy, which can do damage if mishandled.
3. Many carotenoids reside in the thylakoid membrane, absorb the excess and dissipate it safely as heat.
4. Splitting water is the job of photosystem II, not of an accessory pigment.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 8 "Photosynthesis", section 8.2 The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis_
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