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What color of visible light does chlorophyll absorb the best?

a) Red
b) Blue
c) Green
d) Yellow

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Chlorophyll best absorbs red and blue light, with peaks in the absorption spectrum for chlorophyll a located in the blue and red areas of the spectrum, leading to the reflection of green light and the green color of plants.

Therefore, option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorophyll Absorption Spectrum

The color of visible light that chlorophyll absorbs the best are red and blue. Chlorophyll a, in particular, is a form of chlorophyll that absorbs violet-blue and red light but reflects green light, giving plants their characteristic green appearance. This reflection occurs because chlorophyll a does not absorb green wavelengths effectively. In an absorption spectrum, chlorophyll a shows peaks in the blue (around 430-470 nm) and red (around 640-680 nm) regions. Photosynthesis is optimized when plants are exposed to wavelengths of light that chlorophylls can absorb well, which include these portions of the spectrum.

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