AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chlorophyll a absorbs violet and orange light the most. Chlorophyll b absorbs mostly blue and yellow light. They both also absorb light of other wavelengths with less intensity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Blue (420-450nm) and Red (620-680nm): Chlorophyll a is the most abundant pigment in plants. Chlorophyll a absorbs light mostly 430nm (blue) and 662nm (red) wavelength light. It reflects green light so it appears green to us. Chlorophyll b molecule has a similar structure to that of chlorophyll a.

Detailed explanation-3: -Red and blue light is believed to have a higher quantum yield of CO2 assimilation. The blue and red parts of the spectrum are effective to satisfy the energy requirement of plants. Hence plants absorb these two colors more than any other color.

Detailed explanation-4: -Wavelengths absorbed by chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments generate electrons to power photosynthesis. All photosynthetic organisms have chlorophyll a which absorbs violet-blue and reddish orange-red wavelengths. Chlorophyll a reflects green and yellow-green wavelengths.

Detailed explanation-5: -Chlorophyll is essential in photosynthesis, allowing plants to absorb energy from light. Chlorophyll absorbs light most strongly in the blue portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, followed by the red portion. So, blue colour of light gives maximum absorption peak of chlorophyll a.