Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

9. Photosynthesis

Pigments of Photosynthesis

General Biology

9. Photosynthesis

Pigments of Photosynthesis

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3:20 minutes

Problem 5

Textbook Question

Why is the chlorophyll in chloroplasts less likely to produce fluorescence compared to extracted chlorophyll molecules?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of fluorescence. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence.

Step 2: Understand the role of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pigment found in chloroplasts of plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. It absorbs light most efficiently in the blue and red regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and less efficiently in the green region.

Step 3: Understand the difference between chlorophyll in chloroplasts and extracted chlorophyll molecules. In chloroplasts, the absorbed light energy is used to drive the photosynthesis process, converting light energy into chemical energy. This energy is used to produce ATP and NADPH, which are used in the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide into glucose. Therefore, there is less energy left to be emitted as fluorescence.

Step 4: On the other hand, when chlorophyll molecules are extracted and isolated from the plant cells, they are not involved in photosynthesis. When these molecules absorb light, they have no other processes to direct the energy towards. As a result, the absorbed energy is released as fluorescence.

Step 5: In conclusion, the chlorophyll in chloroplasts is less likely to produce fluorescence compared to extracted chlorophyll molecules because in chloroplasts, the absorbed light energy is used for photosynthesis, leaving less energy to be emitted as fluorescence.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chlorophyll Structure and Function

Chlorophyll is a pigment found in chloroplasts that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths. Its structure includes a porphyrin ring with a magnesium ion at the center, which is essential for its light-absorbing properties. In chloroplasts, chlorophyll is embedded in thylakoid membranes, allowing it to efficiently capture light energy for conversion into chemical energy.

Fluorescence in Pigments

Fluorescence occurs when a substance absorbs light at one wavelength and re-emits it at a longer wavelength. In chlorophyll, this process can happen when the pigment is in a non-physiological environment, such as when extracted. However, in chloroplasts, chlorophyll is involved in energy transfer processes that minimize fluorescence, as the absorbed energy is quickly used for photosynthesis rather than being re-emitted as light.

Energy Transfer in Photosynthesis

In photosynthesis, absorbed light energy is transferred through a series of proteins and pigments in the thylakoid membranes, known as the photosynthetic electron transport chain. This process efficiently converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. The rapid transfer of energy reduces the likelihood of fluorescence, as the energy is utilized for biochemical reactions rather than being lost as emitted light.

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