Question

Quantasomes contain
(a) 200 chlorophyll molecules
(b) 230 chlorophyll molecules
(c) 250 chlorophyll molecules
(d) 300 chlorophyll molecules

Answer 1

Hint: The prime factor of the number of chlorophyll present in the Quantasome is $2{ \times { 5{ \times { 23 } } } }$. They help in the process of photosynthesis and are found inside the linings of the chloroplast.

Complete answer:
Every single quantasome contains 230 chlorophylls. They were first identified by Roderic B. Park in 1962.
Quantasomes are particles that are found in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts. It is the place where photosynthesis will occur. They are located in the paracrystalline array on the thylakoid disc surface in the chloroplasts. It consists of lipids and proteins that include several photosynthetic pigments and the redox carriers. 
They are found in two different sizes. The smaller quantasome is proposed to be represented in the site of photosystem I whereas the larger to represent the site of photosystem II.
So, the correct answer is ‘230 chlorophyll molecules’.

Additional Information:
- Photosystems are the functional and structural units of protein complexes that are involved in photosynthesis.
- The absorption of light and the transfer of energy and electrons are the two primary functions of the photosystems.
- The photosystems are present in the thylakoid membranes of plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
- They are situated in the chloroplasts of plants and algae, and the cytoplasmic membrane of the photosynthetic bacteria.
- There are two types of photosystems. Photosystem I and II.
- These photosystems have several pigments that will absorb light energy and will catalyze the primary photosynthetic endergonic reactions and thereby produce high energy compounds.

Note: 200 to 300 chlorophyll is considered as one unit of photosynthesis. Nearly 8 quanta of light are required to release one oxygen molecule and the reduction of a carbon dioxide molecule. It was first identified in 1962 by Roderick B. Park. and was called as photosynthetic units.