Photosynthesis is maximum in red light.
Photosynthesis and Light Absorption
Plants utilize light energy to drive photosynthesis, the process of converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process relies on pigments, primarily chlorophyll, which absorb specific wavelengths of light.
Absorption Spectrum
The absorption spectrum of chlorophyll shows that it absorbs light most strongly in the red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Green light, on the other hand, is largely reflected, which is why plants appear green.
Why Red Light is Important
While both red and blue light are absorbed efficiently, red light tends to be more effective for photosynthesis due to deeper penetration into the leaf tissue and its specific role in chlorophyll a's reaction center. The rate of photosynthesis, however, is also dependent on a variety of other factors beyond solely light wavelength.
Light Absorption Ranges:
- Violet, Blue, and Red Light: Are absorbed by chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments.
- Green Light: Is mostly reflected.
Photosynthetic Action Spectrum
The action spectrum of photosynthesis, which plots the rate of photosynthesis against different wavelengths of light, generally mirrors the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll. This confirms the importance of red and blue light for photosynthesis.
