Refer to the figure, which shows the light absorption of a green alga and purple sulfur bacteria. What can be concluded from these spectroscopy data?
A) Purple sulfur bacteria use nitrogen as an electron acceptor.
B) Purple sulfur bacteria are able to grow under layers of the green alga.
C) The algae are entirely dependent on purple sulfur bacteria.
D) Bacteria do not contain bacteriochlorophyll.
E) Purple sulfur bacteria photosynthesize only in cloudy weather.

Question

Refer to the figure, which shows the light absorption of a green alga and purple sulfur bacteria.  What can be concluded from these spectroscopy data?
A) Purple sulfur bacteria use nitrogen as an electron acceptor. 
B) Purple sulfur bacteria are able to grow under layers of the green alga. 
C) The algae are entirely dependent on purple sulfur bacteria. 
D) Bacteria do not contain bacteriochlorophyll. 
E) Purple sulfur bacteria photosynthesize only in cloudy weather.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The spectroscopy data shows that the green alga absorbs light primarily in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, while the purple sulfur bacteria absorb light primarily in the green region. This suggests that the two organisms can potentially coexist in different layers, with the green alga thriving in the upper, well-lit layers and the purple sulfur bacteria growing in deeper, less illuminated layers. Therefore, it can be concluded that purple sulfur bacteria are able to grow under layers of the green alga. All other choices are not supported by the data.

Refer to the Figure, Which Shows the Light Absorption of a Green