Refer to the figure below, showing the portion of the visible spectrum detected by a particular plant photoreceptor. What is the most likely response of a plant to this portion of the visible spectrum (i.e., 436 nm)?

Question

Refer to the figure below, showing the portion of the visible spectrum detected by a particular plant photoreceptor.  What is the most likely response of a plant to this portion of the visible spectrum (i.e., 436 nm)?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The portion of the visible spectrum detected by this photoreceptor is blue light at 436 nm. Blue light is known to promote phototropism, which is the directional growth of a plant in response to light. Specifically, blue light causes auxins (plant hormones) to move away from the light source, causing the shaded side of the plant to grow more, resulting in bending or leaning towards the light. Therefore, the most likely response of a plant to this portion of the visible spectrum is to lean towards the light.

Refer to the Figure Below, Showing the Portion of the Visible