A solution of isolated chlorophyll fluoresces when exposed to purple light (fluorescence means it emits red light and heat energy). Intact plants do not fluoresce when exposed to purple light. Explain. (Hint: think about what happens to the free energy of electrons in chlorophyll when hit by light.)
Added by Rhonda H.
Step 1
This is because the photon of light energizes an electron in the chlorophyll molecule, causing it to travel through the electron transport chain and pump hydrogen ions into the thylakoid space, ultimately transferring energy as electrochemical gradient. ** Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Suman K and 96 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
When photon is absorbed by molecule, like chlorophyll; electrons are pushed from an inner to outer orbital. The molecule shifts from a ground state to excited state. If the electron of excited chlorophyll drops back to lower orbital, what has to happen to the energy that was absorbed? If light is absorbed by isolated molecule of chlorophylls in solution (liquid), the solution becomes very fluorescent: Why? If light is absorbed by chloroplasts in solution (liquid), the solution hardly fluoresces at all: Why?
Adi S.
When a photon is absorbed by a molecule, like chlorophyll, electrons are pushed from an inner to outer orbital. The molecule shifts from a "ground state" to "excited state". a. If the electron of excited chlorophyll drops back to a lower orbital, what has to happen to the energy that was absorbed? b. If light is absorbed by isolated molecule of chlorophylls in solution (liquid), the solution becomes very fluorescent. Why? c. If light is absorbed by chloroplasts in solution (liquid), the solution hardly fluoresces at all. Why?
Madhur L.
Chlorophyll $a$ appears green because it absorbs mainly ______ light. a. violet and red b. green c. yellow d. blue
Recommended Textbooks
Biology for AP Courses
Objective Biology for NEET
Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
Transcript
18,000,000+
Students on Numerade
Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD