In the context of pigments of photosynthesis, what is the primary role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

• A. Fix $C_{0}2$ into sugars directly by catalyzing the Calvin cycle
• B. Split water molecules to release $O_2$ as the primary catalytic enzyme
• C. Absorb photons and convert their energy into excited electrons to drive the light reactions
• D. Serve as the final electron acceptor in the photosynthetic electron transport chain

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chlorophyll is a pigment involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, primarily responsible for capturing light energy.
2. Recognize that chlorophyll absorbs photons (light energy) and uses this energy to excite electrons to a higher energy state.
3. Know that these excited electrons are then transferred through the photosynthetic electron transport chain, which helps generate ATP and NADPH.
4. Distinguish that chlorophyll itself does not directly fix carbon dioxide into sugars; this process occurs later in the Calvin cycle using enzymes like Rubisco.
5. Conclude that the primary role of chlorophyll is to absorb light and convert it into chemical energy by exciting electrons, which drives the subsequent light reactions.