Why it is necessary to protect chlorophyll-a from photo-oxidation process ?
Dear Student,
You must be knowing that the oxidation is the loss of electron. Photo-oxidation is the oxidation under the influence of light energy. The example of photo-oxidation in photosynthesis is the excitation of chlorophyll molecules.
Photo-oxidation is the destruction of photosynthetic pigment when illuminated. It leads reduction of photosynthetic rates.
The carotenoids (accessory pigments) have another role as an antioxidant to prevent photo-oxidative damage of chlorophyll molecules.