Question

The pigment phycoerythrin is characteristics of
A. Green algae
B. Brown algae
C. Red algae
D. Blue green algae

Answer 1

Hint: Phycoerythrin is a photosynthetic pigment. It is red in color and is found in some bacteria and cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are the aquatic forms of photosynthetic bacteria.

Complete Answer:
- The pigment phycoerythrin is characteristic of red algae. Photosynthetic pigments are the variably colored pigments that take part in the processes of photosynthesis. The process of which green plants prepare their food material by using solar energy is called photosynthesis.
- The photosynthetic pigments found in green plants are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, xanthophyll and carotene. These pigments are found in the chloroplast of cells. Xanthophyll a yellow colored pigment is carotene is orange colored pigment.
- Xanthophyll and carotene are combinedly known as carotenoids. Visually, phycoerythrin appears red in color. Phycoerythrin is found in red algae and a group of cyanobacteria.
- Brown algae: The brown algae have phaeophyta named photosynthesis pigment. It includes chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, B-carotene, pigments. Carotene pigments are also found in excess.

Therefore, from the above explanation the correct option is (C) Red algae.

Note: Cyanobacteria contain pigments like phycoerythrin and phycocyanin that are responsible to impact blue, green color to algae. They lack a membrane-bound nucleus chloroplast and many other cell organelles are present.