What Differentiates A Plant's Absorption Spectrum From Its Action Spectrum During Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is one of the most important biochemical processes occurring in plants. It is a process that enables plants to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which they use for various metabolic activities. Photosynthesis involves two primary stages, namely the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts and involve the absorption of light energy by the pigments present in the photosystem. This energy is then used to synthesize ATP and NADPH, which are the energy carriers required for the light-independent reactions.

The absorption of light energy by pigments in photosystems is a complex process that involves the absorption of light of different wavelengths. The absorption of light by pigments depends on their unique absorption spectra, which are determined by the types and numbers of pigments present in the photosystem. The absorption spectra of pigments in photosystems can be determined by measuring the amount of light absorbed by pigments at different wavelengths. This is known as the absorption spectrum assignment help, which represents the range of wavelengths of light absorbed by a particular pigment.

On the other hand, the action spectrum represents the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving photosynthesis. The action spectrum is determined by measuring the rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light. The action spectrum shows that photosynthesis is most efficient in the blue and red regions of the visible spectrum, which corresponds to the absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b, the primary pigments responsible for photosynthesis.

The difference between the absorption spectrum and the action spectrum lies in the fact that the absorption spectrum represents the range of wavelengths of light absorbed by a particular pigment, whereas the action spectrum represents the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving photosynthesis. In other words, the absorption spectrum indicates which wavelengths of light can be absorbed by a particular pigment, whereas the action spectrum shows which wavelengths of light are most effective in driving photosynthesis. You can hire affordable and pocket-friendly Online assignment writer from BookMyEssay

The reason why the action spectrum is different from the absorption spectrum is due to the presence of accessory pigments, which are able to absorb light at different wavelengths than the primary pigments. Accessory pigments, such as carotenoids and phycobilins, have different absorption spectra than chlorophyll a and b, and they are able to absorb light in the green and yellow regions of the spectrum, which are not efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll. Therefore, the action spectrum shows that photosynthesis can still occur even in the green and yellow regions of the spectrum, despite the fact that chlorophyll is not efficient at absorbing light in these regions.

In conclusion, the absorption spectrum and the action spectrum represent two different aspects of photosynthesis. The absorption spectrum represents the range of wavelengths of light absorbed by a particular pigment, whereas the action spectrum represents the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving photosynthesis. The difference between the absorption spectrum and the action spectrum is due to the presence of accessory pigments, which are able to absorb light at different wavelengths than the primary pigments. The study of these spectra is essential in understanding the mechanisms of photosynthesis and is useful in developing strategies to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants, which can have significant implications for agriculture and the environment. If you need any help with your absorption spectrum assignment, you can always seek online assignment help from professional assignment help tutors or online assignment writers who are well-versed in this topic.