Chlorophyll a is one of many pigments found in the leaves of plants and is one o

Question

Chlorophyll a is one of many pigments found in the leaves of plants and is one of the pigments able to absorb light to power photosynthesis. The following graphic shows how much of each wavelength of visible light chlorophylla absorbs. The X-axis (horizontal axis) lists the wavelength of the light in nanometers (nm), and the background of the graphic shows the color cf light each wavelength corresponds with. The peaks in the line indicate the wavelengths of visible light that chlorophyll a absorbs more of and, therefore, uses in photosynthess. The lower lines indicate the wavelengths of visible light chlorophyll a absorbs less of and, consequently, does not use in photosynthesis. Any wavelengths of visible light not absorbed by chlorophyll a (or cther photosynthetic pigments) are reflected back off of the plant. of Visible Light Which of the following wavelengths of light are absorbed by chlorophyll a to power photosynthesis? Check all that apply. 550nm 675 mm 425 m 400 450 500 550 600 650700 Wavelength (nm) In a laboratory experiment, you take three plants and put them each under a lamp that mimics sunlight. You have three colored light filters that fit over each of the lamps: a violet filter, a green fiter, and a red filter. The violet filter allows only violet light to pass through, the green filter allows only green light to pass through, and the red filter allows only red light to pass through. The following graphic illustrates this experimental setup. Remember, each plant will be able to absorb only the wavelengths of light that are available to it. Thus, the color of light each plant is under will determine whether photosynthesis will work. Given what you know, you can predict that the plants growing under the green light filter be able to effectively use chlorophyll a will not

Explanation / Answer

From the graph,you can see two peaks. One at just before 450 nm and one just after 650 nm. At 550 the graph has no peak. It is the lowest point in the total graphical representation. The nm represents the measurement of wave length of a particular colour of light. Diff coloured light has different wave lengths. And different wave length determines the rate of photosynthesis in plants.

Now, carefully look at the colour behind the two highest peaks. One colour is violet another one is red/ orange. So, from the ques, look at the options, there are two options which are very close to 450 nm and 650 nm. So, the 675 nm and 425 nm wave length are the most suitable wave length to increase photosynthesis rate or power the photosynthesis.

Now, from this discussiom, you might habe understood that violet light and red light wave length ranges have the most fruitful impact on the photosynthetic rate. Whereas, look carefully at the 550 nm range. It is the lowest point. The background colour is green. So it can be concluded from it that green colour wave length decreases the photosynthesis rate.

Now how is this rate increased and decreased? It is very simple. Plants tend to absorve violet and red colour more and green colour less. So, when they utilize more light, then the production rate is higher.

Now comming to the experimental set up. As usual the plants under violet and red light will utilise the light and produce more food via photosynthesis but the plant under green light cannot utilise/ absorb the light so it cannot take part in photosynthesis much effectively and if this situation continues then it will be triggered to death due to lack of food. As no photosynthesis is being taken place. So, plant under green filter will not be able to utilise the light effectively.

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