The portion of light which is used in photosynthesis is called PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) also called white light / visible light (400-700nm)
V
400nm
I
B
G
least useful
Y
O
R
700nm
Photosynthetic Pigments
CHLOROPHYLLS
TYPES OF CHLOROPHYLL: a, b, c, d, e, bacteriochlorophyll
a
universal photosynthetic pigment
more amount
b
absorb both low and high wavelength light and participate directly in light reaction of
photosynthesis
CAROTENOIDS
xanthopheles
yellow to brown
carotenes
yellow to red
absorb only low wavelength light and hand over the
absorbed energy to chlorophyll