The Student Room Group

bio homework :(

i'm in biology at my school and i'm having some trouble with my homework:frown: we had to do this lab on leaf pigments...it was wierd..and i was wondering if anyone could help me figure out a question that i've been struggling with...here it is..."Light at the blue end of the spectrum penetrates most easily underwater. Why are seaweeds often yellow-brown?"...i've been looking EVERYWHERE and i can't seem to find it. so if anyone know's what the answer is or where to find the answer that would be MUCH appreciated...thanks soo much everyone!!
Reply 1
sweetinferno
i'm in biology at my school and i'm having some trouble with my homework:frown: we had to do this lab on leaf pigments...it was wierd..and i was wondering if anyone could help me figure out a question that i've been struggling with...here it is..."Light at the blue end of the spectrum penetrates most easily underwater. Why are seaweeds often yellow-brown?"...i've been looking EVERYWHERE and i can't seem to find it. so if anyone know's what the answer is or where to find the answer that would be MUCH appreciated...thanks soo much everyone!!


Right, I'll try and help you. IT MAY BE WRONG!!! If seaweed is yellow-brown, it means its absorbing all colours except for yellow-brown. Since the best light penetrating the water is blue, this is what the seaweed can receive and what it will absorb. Blue and yellow are at the opposite ends of the spectrum of light, so the blue end is absorbed, and the yellow end not.
Reply 2
thank you soo much! that sounds right because earlier the book said that leaves turn the colors that they're not obsorbing. so that makes alot of sence. THANK YOU!!