Photons are absorbed by ______.

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Multiple Choice

Photons are absorbed by ______.

Explanation:
Light energy capture in photosynthesis happens when pigment molecules, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids in chloroplasts, absorb photons. This absorption excites their electrons to higher energy levels, and that energy is funneled into the photosystems and the electron transport chain to drive the production of ATP and NADPH. Water isn’t the primary absorber of photons for energy capture, though it participates later by providing electrons through photolysis. Starch granules are storage polysaccharides and don’t absorb light to power energy conversion, and mitochondria are involved in respiration, not capturing light energy for photosynthesis. Therefore pigment molecules are the ones that absorb photons.

Light energy capture in photosynthesis happens when pigment molecules, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids in chloroplasts, absorb photons. This absorption excites their electrons to higher energy levels, and that energy is funneled into the photosystems and the electron transport chain to drive the production of ATP and NADPH. Water isn’t the primary absorber of photons for energy capture, though it participates later by providing electrons through photolysis. Starch granules are storage polysaccharides and don’t absorb light to power energy conversion, and mitochondria are involved in respiration, not capturing light energy for photosynthesis. Therefore pigment molecules are the ones that absorb photons.

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