Question

What color of light is least effective in driving photosynthesis? Explain.

Short answer

The color of light that is least effective in driving photosynthesis is green color. The green light is transmitted and reflected during this process. The photosynthetic pigment does not absorb this color.

Step-by-step solution

Description of plant 

A plant is an autotrophic organism that can prepare its food. The plant cells are also unique compared to other organisms due to substances like cellulose.

Description of photosynthesis

One of the important metabolic processes in plants is photosynthesis. It is the process that utilizes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. The chloroplasts are the organelle in which this process occurs and produces starch. It is the sugar material that is transported to other parts of the plants.

Least effective color in photosynthesis 

The wavelength of green light is less effective in the photosynthesis process. The plants that absorb green light will have a slower photosynthesis process.

The plant contains chlorophyll in the chloroplast, which effectively absorbs the other colors in the visible spectrum except for green. So, most of the green color is reflected or transmitted.

The light does not get absorbed by the object; instead, it is bounced from the object. This process is known as reflection.The light cannot pass through the object and thus gets reflected.

Hence, chlorophyll has a green pigment that cannot absorb green light. This green light has the least contribution during the photosynthesis process.