Which pigment is essential for capturing light energy in plants?

Chlorophyll is the essential pigment in plants responsible for capturing light energy during the process of photosynthesis. It primarily absorbs light in the blue and red wavelengths while reflecting green light, which is why plants appear green. This absorption of light energy is crucial as it converts solar energy into chemical energy, enabling plants to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

Carotene and xanthophyll are also pigments found in plants, playing roles in light absorption and protection against photo-damage; however, they are not the primary pigments used for capturing light energy. Melanin, on the other hand, is a pigment that provides coloration in animal tissues and is not involved in photosynthesis at all. Understanding the specific function of chlorophyll in photosynthesis highlights its importance in the energy conversion processes that sustain plant life and, by extension, life on Earth.