Unit 3.2: Getting the Light

Question 1

What are the three fates of light when it hits a leaf?

Answer 1

• Absorbed and used for photosynthesis
• Reflected
• Transmitted

Question 2

What is the structure of a chloroplast?

Answer 2

• Outer membrane
• Inner membrane
• Stroma (site of Calvin cycle)
• Granum (site if photolysis)

Question 3

What is the absorption spectra?

Answer 3

Shows the specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed. Carotenoids extend the wavelengths of light absorbed and pass the energy to chlorophyll for photosynthesis

Question 4

What is the action spectra?

Answer 4

Shows the wavelengths of light that produce the most active photosynthesis

Question 5

What is the benefit of having more pigments in a plant?

Answer 5

Each pigment absorbs a different range of wavelengths of light so more pigments means more wavelengths absorbed