Absorption Spectra, Photosynthetic Pigments & Photosystems:
Absorption Spectra:
The percentage of light each pigment absorbs at different
wavelengths can be plotted on an absorption spectrum.
The photosynthetic pigments absorb most light at the blue &
red ends of the spectra & absorb little/ no green light.
This is because green light is the most abundant so would cause
damage to the organism.
This fact was tested through an experiment using mobile
oxygen seeking bacteria in a tube with green algae
(photosynthesising organism).
Light was shone on the algae through a prism that separated
the different wavelengths of light.
Most bacteria congregated around the blue and red light.
This suggested that the most oxygen was being produced at the
blue & red ends of the spectra.
Which shows that the algae was using red & blue light the most
in photosynthesis.
Photosynthetic Pigments:
Chlorophylls:
o A collection of green pigments.
o They all have a hydrocarbon tail & porphyrin head.
o Their tails embed themselves in the membranes of the
thylakoids.
o The head remains on the membranes surface.
o Chlorophyll a is found in all plants.
o There are two types of chlorophyll a: P680 & P700.
Carotenoids:
Absorption Spectra:
The percentage of light each pigment absorbs at different
wavelengths can be plotted on an absorption spectrum.
The photosynthetic pigments absorb most light at the blue &
red ends of the spectra & absorb little/ no green light.
This is because green light is the most abundant so would cause
damage to the organism.
This fact was tested through an experiment using mobile
oxygen seeking bacteria in a tube with green algae
(photosynthesising organism).
Light was shone on the algae through a prism that separated
the different wavelengths of light.
Most bacteria congregated around the blue and red light.
This suggested that the most oxygen was being produced at the
blue & red ends of the spectra.
Which shows that the algae was using red & blue light the most
in photosynthesis.
Photosynthetic Pigments:
Chlorophylls:
o A collection of green pigments.
o They all have a hydrocarbon tail & porphyrin head.
o Their tails embed themselves in the membranes of the
thylakoids.
o The head remains on the membranes surface.
o Chlorophyll a is found in all plants.
o There are two types of chlorophyll a: P680 & P700.
Carotenoids:
