Effect of Light on Chlorophyll Levels

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Introduction Chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesize carbohydrates from CO2 and water. There are actually five types of photosynthetic pigments; each absorbs light most efficiently in a different part of the spectrum: Chlorophyll a - green pigment, absorbs well at a wavelength of about 400-450 nm (blue) and at 650-700 nm (red). It is the most common pigment, present in every plant that performs photosynthesis. Chlorophyll b - green pigment, absorbs at 450-500 nm (blue) Carotene - orange pigment, absorbs well at 450-500 nm (blue). Xanthophyll - yellow pigment, absorbs well at 400-530 nm (blue-violet) Phaeophytin - grey pigment Carotene, xanthophyll and phaeophytin are called accessory pigments, since they absorb light and transfer the energy to chlorophyll.


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