A simple experiment showed the action spectrum for photosynthesis. A green
alga on a microscope slide received light that had been separated into its colors
by a prism. The dots in the graph represent the molecules that accumulated
when the different wavelengths of light were absorbed by the green alga.
high
S
Light absorption
ES
Green alga
400
450
650
700
500 550 600
Wavelength (nm)
Green-yellow
Violet-blue
Orange-red
What are these molecules likely to be

Chlorophyll a shows maximal absorption of red light at 642 nm and 372 nm in blue light; while chlorophyll b's absorption is at 626 nm and 392 nm, respectively.

Carotenoids show maximal absorption between 425 and 475 nm.

Further Explanation:

Chlorophylls consist of a ringed molecule, chlorine, a hydrogenated form of porphyrin containing in the center a magnesium ion bonded to four nitrogen atoms. Various types of chlorophyll contain sidechains that influence the molecule's absorption range, for example A has a methyl group bound to the C7 spot, while at this position B has an aldehyde (CHO) ring.

Carotenoids are polyene chains containing 9-11 double bonds which may end in two rings. All carotenoids are isomers of isoprene, and are typically derivatives of and dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP).

Integrated inside the chloroplast thykaloid membrane, chlorophyll a and B primarily absorb orange-red and violet-blue wavelengths, carotenes absorb orange light and xanthophylls absorb yellow light. Pigments also transform light energy into chemical energy for the photosynthesis process. This happens within the light-dependent reaction.

Learn more about Photosynthesis at brainly.com/question/4216541

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