Understanding:
• Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other colours
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in photosynthetic organisms that is responsible for light absorption
- When chlorophyll absorbs light, it releases electrons which are used to synthesise ATP (chemical energy)
There are a number of different chlorophyll molecules, each with their own absorption spectra, however collectively:
- Chlorophyll absorbs light most strongly in the blue portion of the visible spectrum, followed by the red portion
- Chlorophyll reflects light most strongly in the green portion of the visible spectrum (hence the green colour of leaves)
Diagram of a Typical Chlorophyll Molecule
