A chromatography paper is shown to you and it is asked that which of the following pigments is represented by the yellow colour band on the paper?

Xanthophylls

The correct answer is Option (2)- Xanthophylls

Pigments in plants are substances that possess the ability to absorb light, particularly at specific wavelengths. These pigments play a crucial role in capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis. In the context of the leaf pigments found in green plants, such as chlorophylls, xanthophylls, and carotenoids, each of them contributes to the overall coloration of leaves and has specific roles in light absorption.

We can separate the leaf pigments of any green plant through paper chromatography. A chromatographic separation of the leaf pigments shows that the colour that we see in leaves is not due to a single pigment but due to four pigments:

Chlorophyll a (bright or blue green in the chromatogram), chlorophyll b (yellow green), xanthophylls (yellow) and carotenoids (yellow to yellow-orange). Pigments are substances that have an ability to absorb light, at specific wavelengths.

The presence of multiple pigments with different absorption spectra allows plants to capture light energy effectively across a broad range of wavelengths. This diverse set of pigments contributes to the vibrant green coloration of leaves and ensures that plants can optimize their photosynthetic efficiency under varying light conditions.

In summary, the coloration of leaves in green plants is a result of multiple pigments, each with specific light-absorbing properties. These pigments work together to harness light energy and drive the essential process of photosynthesis, which is fundamental to the plant's energy production and growth.