Light Dependant Reactions

Question 1

What is a pigment?

Answer 1

• A chemical that can absorb wavelengths of visible light

Question 2

What is an example of a pigment and what does it absorb?

Answer 2

• Chlorophyll
• can absorb light at the red and blue / violet end of the spectrum

Question 3

How can chlorophyll absorption be shown?

Answer 3

• This can be shown on a graph called an absorption spectrum

Question 4

What is another pigment mat can help with photosynthesis?
And what does it do?

Answer 4

• Carotenoids
• these absorb strongly in the blue/violet end of the spectrum

Question 5

Why is having a range of wavelengths that can be absorbed be an advantage?

Answer 5

• Because it means photoautotrophs con compete in a range of lighting conditions

Question 6

What does the action spectrum closely follow?

Answer 6

• The pattern in the absorption spectrum