Photosynthesis

Question 1

what are photosyntheic pigments and where are they found?

Answer 1

molecules that absorb specific wavelengths of light
found in thylakoids

Question 2

2 types of photosynthetic pigments

Answer 2

chlorophylls and carotenoids

Question 3

what does the absorption spectrum show?

Answer 3

how much light a pigment absorbs at different wavelengths

Question 4

what does the action spectrum show?

Answer 4

the rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths

Question 5

what does the close correlation between the 2 spectras show?

Answer 5

that the pigments responsible for absorbing the light are used in photosynthesis

Question 6

what are photosystems?

Answer 6

light-capturing complexes located in the thylakoid membranes that contain different pigments, each of which absorb different wavelengths of light

Question 7

photosystems comprise of :

Answer 7

an antenna complex & a reaction centre

Question 8

what are antenna complexes and what is their purpose?

Answer 8

clusters of photosynthetic pigments
- Allows light at a range of wavelengths to be absorbed
- Light energy absorbed and passed to reaction centre

Question 9

A reaction centre, within the antenna complex
Contains 2 molecules of primary pigment, chlorophyll a
When chlorophyll a absorb light, their excitation allows each one to emit an electron