Absorption Spectrum

• the absorption spectrum is represented by a graph, that shows the relative absorption of light at particular wavelengths 

  
• the absorption spectra of individual pigments show that the pigments complement each other by absorbing light over a different range of wavelengths
• This ensures that by absorbing light over a great range of wavelengths as possible more light energy can be harvested
• the three pigments associated with the absorption spectrum are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and caratenoides
• Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b absorb wavelengths of the blue-violet region as well as the red region
• carotenoids only absorb wavelengths from the blue-green region