BIOLOGY Volume 1 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

7. AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION

7.5. Photosynthetic Pigments

7.5.3. Absorption and Action Spectra

When studying a light-driven process such as Photosynthesis, It is important to determine its action spectrum in order to identify the pigments involved. An action spectrum is a graph showing the effectiveness of the process under investigation when exposed to light of various wavelengths. An absorption spectrum is a graph showing the relationship between the relative amount of light absorbed by a pigment and different wavelengths. Fig. 7.11 illustrates the action spectrum of photosynthesis alongside the absorption spectrum for combined Photosynthetic Pigments. Note the striking similarity between the graphs, which indicates that these pigments—chlorophyll in particular—are responsible for Light absorption during photosynthesis.

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Fig. 7.11. Comparison of the photosynthetic action spectrum with the absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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