Chapter 8.3: Pigments

Question 1

What is the relationship of absorbance vs. wavelength for a pigment molecule. This indicates which wavelengths are absorbed maximally by a pigment.?

Answer 1

absorption spectrum

Question 2

What is a type of accessory pigment found in cyanobacteria and some algae. Complexes of these are able to absorb light energy in the green range?

Answer 2

phycobiliproteins

Question 3

Define chlorophyll b

Answer 3

acts as an accessory pigment, or secondary light-absorbing pigment, complements and adds to the light absorption of chlorophyll a

Question 4

What is a particle of light having discrete amount of energy?

Answer 4

photon

Question 5

Define photoelectric effect

Answer 5

the ability of a beam of light to excite electrons, creating an electrical current

Question 6

Define absorption spectrum

Answer 6

the relationship of absorbance vs. wavelength for a pigment molecule. This indicates which wavelengths are absorbed maximally by a pigment.

Question 7

What is the ability of a beam of light to excite electrons, creating an electrical current?

Answer 7

photoelectric effect

Question 8

What is a secondary light-absorbing pigment used in photosynthesis, including chlorophyll b and the carotenoids, that complement the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a ?

Answer 8

accessory pigment

Question 9

Define chlorophyll a

Answer 9

the main photosynthetic pigment in plants and cyanobacteria and is the only pigment that can act directly to convert light energy to chemical energy

Question 10

Define carotenoid

Answer 10

any of a group of accessory pigments found in plants; in addition to absorbing light energy, these pigments act as antioxidants, scavenging potentially damaging free radicals

Question 11

What is a measure of the efficiency of different wavelengths of light for photosynthesis. In plants, it corresponds to the absorption spectrum of chlorophylls?

Answer 11

action spectrum

Question 12

Define accessory pigment

Answer 12

a secondary light-absorbing pigment used in photosynthesis, including chlorophyll b and the carotenoids, that complement the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a

Question 13

What is a molecule that absorbs light?

Answer 13

pigment

Question 14

Define phycobiliproteins

Answer 14

a type of accessory pigment found in cyanobacteria and some algae. Complexes of phycobiliprotein are able to absorb light energy in the green range

Question 15

What is any of a group of accessory pigments found in plants; in addition to absorbing light energy, these pigments act as antioxidants, scavenging potentially damaging free radicals?

Answer 15

carotenoid

Question 16

What acts as an accessory pigment, or secondary light-absorbing pigment, complements and adds to the light absorption of chlorophyll a ?

Answer 16

chlorophyll b

Question 17

Define photon

Answer 17

a particle of light having discrete amount of energy

Question 18

What is the main photosynthetic pigment in plants and cyanobacteria and is the only pigment that can act directly to convert light energy to chemical energy?

Answer 18

chlorophyll a

Question 19

Define pigment

Answer 19

a molecule that absorbs light

Question 20

Define action spectrum

Answer 20

a measure of the efficiency of different wavelengths of light for photosynthesis. In plants, it corresponds to the absorption spectrum of chlorophylls