Which colors are absorbed by the chloroplast?

Which colors are absorbed by the chloroplast?

• A. Green and yellow
• B. Red and blue
• C. Yellow and orange
• D. Blue and green

Answer: (B)

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the main pigment for photosynthesis, which absorbs strongly in the blue-violet and red parts of the spectrum while reflecting green. Because those blue and red wavelengths are taken up to drive the light reactions, the colors most associated with absorbed light are red and blue. (Other pigments like carotenoids do absorb some blue and green and reflect yellow-orange, but the primary colors absorbed by chloroplasts in the context of photosynthesis are red and blue.)

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the main pigment for photosynthesis, which absorbs strongly in the blue-violet and red parts of the spectrum while reflecting green. Because those blue and red wavelengths are taken up to drive the light reactions, the colors most associated with absorbed light are red and blue. (Other pigments like carotenoids do absorb some blue and green and reflect yellow-orange, but the primary colors absorbed by chloroplasts in the context of photosynthesis are red and blue.)