What is the main pigment involved in photosynthesis?

The main pigment involved in photosynthesis is chlorophyll A. This pigment plays a crucial role in the process by absorbing light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths of the light spectrum. Chlorophyll A is essential because it directly participates in the light reactions of photosynthesis, which convert solar energy into chemical energy, leading to the production of ATP and NADPH.

While other pigments like carotenoids, xanthophyll, and chlorophyll B assist in photosynthesis by expanding the range of light that can be absorbed and by protecting the plant from damage caused by excess light, they do not play the central role in the photosynthetic process that chlorophyll A does. Without chlorophyll A, the primary photochemical reactions of photosynthesis would not occur effectively, indicating its fundamental importance in the overall process.