Photosynthesis
The effect of differing wavelengths of visible light on the photosynthetic activity of Beta vulgaris
Introduction
Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process that occurs within the chloroplasts of plant cells where CO2 + H2O + Sunlight C6H12O6 + O2. The chloroplasts use light, an electromagnetic energy source, to produce food for the plant in the form of sugar molecules. During photosynthesis, the excited electrons from the light pass through proteins in the electron transport chain (ETC), where ATP and NADPH are produced. The CO2 absorbed by the plant are then fixed into carbohydrates by these two organic molecules (Hoober 1984; Halliwell 1984). It is currently known that plants do not use every colour of the visible light spectrum when undergoing photosynthesis, and that the different wavelengths of light are absorbed by the chlorophyll at different rates. In green land plants, the blue and red lights are most readily absorbed by the cells, whereas green light is not easily absorbed (Roberts and Ingram 2001).
Photosynthesis is crucial to the survival of most species on the earth. It produces oxygen which is important for cellular respiration and glucose which provides the energy for living organisms in order to survive. If plants are not undergoing photosynthesis efficiently, or at all, then not enough oxygen and glucose are being produced. This can lead to detrimental effects on the entire world, including highly toxic levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and starvation (Endler 1993).
The research being conducted in this practical aims to look at the differing wavelengths of visible light, and which range produces the most photosynthetic activity in green land plants. Since these plants absorb red and blue lights the most readily, and chlorophyll a absorbs blue light the most out of any other wavelength, it is hypothesised that in this practical the most activity will be seen under the blue light (Hoober 1984).
In order to find the answer to the question
Introduction
Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process that occurs within the chloroplasts of plant cells where CO2 + H2O + Sunlight C6H12O6 + O2. The chloroplasts use light, an electromagnetic energy source, to produce food for the plant in the form of sugar molecules. During photosynthesis, the excited electrons from the light pass through proteins in the electron transport chain (ETC), where ATP and NADPH are produced. The CO2 absorbed by the plant are then fixed into carbohydrates by these two organic molecules (Hoober 1984; Halliwell 1984). It is currently known that plants do not use every colour of the visible light spectrum when undergoing photosynthesis, and that the different wavelengths of light are absorbed by the chlorophyll at different rates. In green land plants, the blue and red lights are most readily absorbed by the cells, whereas green light is not easily absorbed (Roberts and Ingram 2001).
Photosynthesis is crucial to the survival of most species on the earth. It produces oxygen which is important for cellular respiration and glucose which provides the energy for living organisms in order to survive. If plants are not undergoing photosynthesis efficiently, or at all, then not enough oxygen and glucose are being produced. This can lead to detrimental effects on the entire world, including highly toxic levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and starvation (Endler 1993).
The research being conducted in this practical aims to look at the differing wavelengths of visible light, and which range produces the most photosynthetic activity in green land plants. Since these plants absorb red and blue lights the most readily, and chlorophyll a absorbs blue light the most out of any other wavelength, it is hypothesised that in this practical the most activity will be seen under the blue light (Hoober 1984).
In order to find the answer to the question
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