Question

Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Chlorophyll A has a yellow-green pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 430-662 nm.  Chlorophyll B has a blue-green pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 453-642 nm. Carotene has an orange pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 460-550 nm. Xanthophyll has a yellow pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 700 nm. Anthocyanin has a purple pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 660 nm.

2. Plant and planktons that survive by photosynthesis do so with the help of pigments. These pigments help them trap light ( e.g sunlight). When this happens a reflection occurs which gives rise to the pigment colour observed which is usually not absorbed. A typical example is seen in chlorophyll which is green pigmented hence it absorbs all other wavelengths of light the except green.

3. The various ways in which the rate of photosynthesis can be measured include: Measuring the amount of carbon(IV)oxide uptake as well as measuring the amount of oxygen produced.

The reason for the colour change in deciduous trees in the fall is because the chlorophyll in the leaves of the plants is broken down leading to the loss of the green colouration. Also, the presence of anthocyanin can also be responsible for the yellow pigmentation.

5. Due to the evolution of species, and the fact that life originated from microbes, microbes have evolved from the single membrane to more complex systems with specialized organs like the mitochondria and chloroplasts. Early microbes were photosynthetic in nature e.g phytoplanktons which have evolved specialized systems controlled by the DNA to ensure their survival.

 

Explanation:

1. Chlorophyll A has a yellow-green pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 430-662 nm.  Chlorophyll B has a blue-green pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 453-642 nm. Carotene has an orange pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 460-550 nm. Xanthophyll has a yellow pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 700 nm. Anthocyanin has a purple pigment and absorbs at a wavelength of 660 nm.

2. Plant and planktons that survive by photosynthesis do so with the help of pigments. These pigments help them trap light ( e.g sunlight). When this happens a reflection occurs which gives rise to the pigment colour observed which is usually not absorbed. A typical example is seen in chlorophyll which is green pigmented hence it absorbs all other wavelengths of light the except green.

3. The various ways in which the rate of photosynthesis can be measured include: Measuring the amount of carbon(IV)oxide uptake as well as measuring the amount of oxygen produced.

The reason for the colour change in deciduous trees in the fall is because the chlorophyll in the leaves of the plants is broken down leading to the loss of the green colouration. Also, the presence of anthocyanin can also be responsible for the yellow pigmentation.

5. Due to the evolution of species, and the fact that life originated from microbes, microbes have evolved from the single membrane to more complex systems with specialized organs like the mitochondria and chloroplasts. Early microbes were photosynthetic in nature e.g phytoplanktons which have evolved specialized systems controlled by the DNA to ensure their survival.