Analysis of the Absorption of Green Light Versus Red Light Absorption i

outline of the Absorption of Green Light Versus Red Light Absorption in Spinach LeavesThe goal of the experiment was to determine if green free(a) had s fresh ability to buy up than red light in spinach leaves. This was through by separating the photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene and xanthophylls) from one another use paper chromatography. The separated pigments were then analyzed for their assiduity spectrum using a spectrographometer. When the data was graphed it clearly showed the high rate of red light absorption over green light. These results along with previous research indicate the impressiveness of red light in photosynthesis and the minor role green light plays. The majority of life on Earth depends on photosynthesis for food and oxygen. Photosynthesis is the novelty of carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen using the suns light brawn (Campbell, 1996). This process consists of two parts the light reactions and the Calvin cycle (Campbell, 1996). During the light reactions is when the suns energy is converted into ATP and NADPH, which is chemical energy (Campbell, 1996). This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plants cell. Within the chloroplasts are multiple photosynthetic pigments that absorb light from the sun (Campbell, 1996). Photosynthetic pigments work by absorbing several(predicate) wavelengths of light and reflecting others. These pigments are divided into two categories patriarchal (chlorophyll) and accessory (carotenoids) pigments. chlorophyll is then divided into three forms a, b, and c (Campbell, 1996). Chlorophyll a is the primary pigment used during photosynthesis (Campbell, 1996). This pigment is the only one that can direct participate in light reactions (Campbell, 1996). Chlorophyll a absorbs the wavelengths of 600 to 700nm (red and orange) along with four hundred to 500nm (blue and violet) and reflects green wavelengths (Lewis, 2004). Chlorophyll b has only a sligh t dissimilarity in its structure that causes it to have a different absorption spectra (Campbell, 2004). The carotenoid problematical with spinach leaf photosynthesis absorbs the wavelengths of 460 to 550nm (Lewis, 2004). The pigments are carotene and its oxidized derivative xanthophylls (Nishio, 2000). A wavelength is determined by measuring from the tiptop of one wave to the crest of the next wave. All the wavelengths possible are... ...2520 0.06 0.049 0.01 0.005 0.09540 0.06 0.06 0.01 0 0.088560 0.08 0.065 0.01 0 0.09580 0.125 0.076 0 0 0.111600 0.15 0.091 0 0.005 0.122620 0.21 0.09 0 0.005 0.148640 0.24 0.3 0 0.005 0.195660 0.99 0.18 0.01 0.01 0.495680 0.18 0.03 0 0.01 0.09700 0.03 0.01 0 0 0.028720 0.01 0.01 0 0 0.02Figure 2 The absorabancy spectrum shows ho w absorbent the photosynthetic pigments are at different wavelengths of light. Note Green light is between 500 to 570 nm and red light is between 630 to 720 nm. ReferencesCampbell, N.A., Biology, New York The Benjamin/Cummings publication Company, Inc., 1996, 182-200.Karohl, D., Principals of Biology I Laboratory, Lorain, Lorain County Community College, 2003, 65-71.Lewis, R., Life, Boston McGraw-Hill , 2004, 97-114.Nishio, J.N., Why are higher plants green? Evolution of the higher plant photosynthetic pigment complement, Plant, booth and Environment, 2000, 23, 539-5