How does light quality affect photosynthesis?
Light quality has a marked effect upon photosynthetic rates. Properties of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments are optimized for absorption of blue and red light. Wavelengths of light emanating from tungsten, fluorescent bulbs are markedly different than for natural sunlight, and as a result, the rates of photosynthesis measured under artificial light sources will be different that those observed under the sun. (For biology majors) 5. Notice that light exposure is recorded as “irradiance”. Why is irradiance a better measure of light exposure than light than “intensity.” A. Light intensity can only be used to measure white light. B. Irradiance is the only true measure of the energy carried in light. C. Light intensity cannot be measured accurately. D. Irradiance measures the amount of light actually striking the leaf. Click here for an explanation of this question. Start Page | Review I | Review II | Questions | Biology Home Page Copyright (C) 1998, Steven R. Spilatro, spilatrs@marietta
