Praxis II Biology (5235) Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The selection of chlorophyll b, c, and carotenoids as accessory pigments is accurate because these pigments play a crucial role in photosynthesis by assisting chlorophyll a in capturing light energy. Chlorophyll a is the primary pigment directly responsible for converting light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis. However, it cannot absorb light in all wavelengths effectively.

Accessory pigments, such as chlorophyll b and carotenoids (which include pigments like beta-carotene and xanthophylls), broaden the spectrum of light that can be used for photosynthesis. They absorb light wavelengths that chlorophyll a cannot, such as blue and green light, and transfer that energy to chlorophyll a. This capability allows plants to optimize light absorption in varying environmental conditions.

Chlorophyll b is specifically found in green plants and green algae, while chlorophyll c is found in certain groups of algae. Carotenoids, on the other hand, are present in many plants and help in protecting the plant from damage caused by excessive light by dissipating extra energy as heat.

In contrast, other options like chlorophyll a alone or chloroplast pigments exclusively do not encompass the full range of pigments involved in light absorption and energy transfer during photosynthesis. Likewise, stating that only caroteno