What is the green pigment in plants called?

The green pigment in plants is called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is crucial for photosynthesis, as it absorbs light energy, primarily from the blue and red wavelengths, allowing plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. This pigment is found in the chloroplasts of plant cells and plays a significant role in giving plants their characteristic green color.

In terms of its function, chlorophyll allows plants to harness energy from sunlight, which is essential for growth and energy production. This process not only sustains the plant itself but also supports life on Earth by contributing oxygen to the atmosphere and acting as the foundation of food chains.

Other pigments, such as carotene, melanin, and xanthophyll, exist in various organisms and scenarios. Carotene provides yellow and orange colors and plays a role in photosynthesis as well, whereas xanthophyll contributes to the yellow coloration in leaves but does not dominate the plant's pigmentation like chlorophyll does. Melanin is more commonly associated with animals and provides pigmentation in skin, hair, and feathers, not in plants. Therefore, chlorophyll is the correct answer as it is the primary pigment responsible for the green color in plants and their photosynthetic activity.