Question

Which wavelengths of light drive the highest rates of photosynthesis? Select the two best answers.

400-450 nm
500-600 nm
550-700 nm
670-680 nm

Answer 1

• 400-450 nm
• 550-700 nm

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorophyll pigments (mainly chlorophyll a and b) absorb the red and blue spectrum of visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum for photosynthesis. This is why leaves appear green (and occasionally orange) because this visible light portion is not absorbed. The blue light absorbed by leaves ranges between 400 – 450 nm while the red light ranges between 500 nm and 700 nm.