BioInteractive Photosynthetic Pigments and Light Absorption 2

Question 1

What is the difference between the absorption spectrum and the action spectrum of a pigment?

Accepted Answer

Absorption spectrum shows light absorbed by the pigment; action spectrum shows which wavelengths drive photosynthesis

Answer

They are identical

Answer

Action spectrum shows light reflected

Answer

Absorption spectrum measures glucose output

Question 2

Which pigment absorbs light primarily in the blue-violet range and is found in antenna complexes?

Accepted Answer

Chlorophyll b

Answer

Chlorophyll a

Answer

Beta-carotene

Answer

Phycoerythrin

Question 3

What is the light-harvesting complex (antenna complex) in a photosystem?

Accepted Answer

A cluster of pigment molecules that absorbs light and funnels energy to the reaction center

Answer

The site where water is split

Answer

The enzyme that fixes CO2

Answer

The ATP synthase complex

Question 4

How does increasing light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis up to a point?

Accepted Answer

Rate increases until a light saturation point is reached

Answer

Rate decreases linearly

Answer

Rate remains constant

Answer

Rate immediately plateaus at any intensity

Question 5

What is resonance energy transfer in the context of photosynthetic pigments?

Accepted Answer

Energy passes from one pigment molecule to adjacent ones until it reaches the reaction center

Answer

Electrons physically move between pigments

Answer

Photons are stored in pigment bonds

Answer

ATP is transferred between antenna complexes

Question 6

Why do plants contain multiple types of photosynthetic pigments?

Accepted Answer

To capture a broader range of light wavelengths and increase photosynthetic efficiency

Answer

Because each pigment fixes a different type of CO2

Answer

To produce different sugars

Answer

To protect the plant from disease