Which of the following statements about the absorption of photons by pigment molecules is true?
A) It takes several minutes for the pigment electrons to become excited.
B) Photons raise electrons in pigments to the ground state.
C) Excitation of the electrons is a very stable state.
D) Energy can be released by the excited electron as heat, light, or fluorescence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When photons are absorbed by pigment molecules, they raise the electrons to an excited, unstable state. The excited electron can then release the absorbed energy as heat, light, or fluorescence. This process happens quickly, in nanoseconds, rather than taking several minutes. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Option B is incorrect because photons do not raise electrons to the ground state, but rather to excited states. Option C is also incorrect because excitation of electrons is an unstable state, not a stable one.

Which of the Following Statements About the Absorption of Photons