Question

The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b in flowering plants is
(A) 1:1
(B) 0.5:1.5
(C) 3:1
(D) 5:1

Answer 1

The primary pigment of photosynthesis is chlorophyll A. Chlorophyll B is an accessory pigment because it is not necessary for photosynthesis to occur. All organisms that perform photosynthesis have chlorophyll A, but not all organisms contain chlorophyll B.

Complete answer: Flowering plants have more chlorophyll a as compared to chlorophyll for survival.
The ratio of chlorophyll a to b is generally 3:1.
The chemical formula of chlorophyll a is C₅₅H₇₂O₅N₄Mg and that of chlorophyll b is $C_55H_70MgN_4O_6$.
Chlorophyll A and B differ in only one atom in a side-chain on the third carbon. In A, the third carbon is attached to a methyl group whereas, in B, the third carbon is attached to an aldehyde group.

So the option (C) is correct.

Note: One of the main distinctions between Chlorophyll A and B is in the color of the light that they absorb. Chlorophyll B absorbs blue light whereas Chlorophyll A absorbs light from the orange-red and violet-blue areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.