absorption & action spectrum

Question 1

define the term ‘absorption spectrum’

Answer 1

• the absorption spectrum is the graph of the amount of light energy absorbed for each pigment, at each wavelength of light

Question 2

what are the 2 wavelengths of light that bring about high rates of photosynthesis?

Answer 2

• blue light
• red light

Question 3

what is the wavelength of visible white light that is not absorbed by chloroplasts?

Answer 3

• green light

Question 4

define the term ‘action spectrum’

Answer 4

• the action spectrum is defined as the graph that shows the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in stimulating photosynthesis

Question 5

what does the close similarity between the absorption & action spectra indicate?

Answer 5

• it means that photosynthetic pigments are responsible for the absorption of light energy in photosynthesis