Question

absorption of light by chlorophyll a
percent of absorption
wavelength (nm)
spectrum of light
violet blue green yellow orange red
which hypothesis is best supported by the data presented in the graph?
○ if plants are exposed to yellow light, then they will die.
○ if plants receive only green light, then they will not grow well.
○ if plants are not exposed to the full spectrum of light, then they will not grow well
○ if the absorption of light determines growth, then plants grow best under red light.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the graph: Chlorophyll A absorbs very little green light (near 0% absorption), while it strongly absorbs blue and red light.
2. Evaluate each hypothesis:

• Yellow light has low absorption, but the graph does not support the extreme claim that plants will die.
• Since green light is barely absorbed by chlorophyll A, plants cannot use this light effectively for photosynthesis, so they will not grow well with only green light. This matches the data.
• The graph shows plants can absorb blue and red light effectively; there is no evidence they require the full spectrum to grow.
• Chlorophyll A absorbs slightly more blue light than red light, so this hypothesis is not the best supported.

Answer:

B. If plants receive only green light, then they will not grow well.