Question

An outcome of Englemann experiment was to help determine

• A. the relationship between heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms
• B. the relationship between wavelengths of light and the rate of aerobic respiration.
• C. the relationship between wavelengths of light and the amount of heat released.
• D. the relationship between wavelengths of light and the oxygen released during photosynthesis.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

the relationship between wavelengths of light and the oxygen released during photosynthesis.

Engelmann grew oxygen loving bacteria on phtotosynthesizing algae. He then passed light through a prism, splitting light into VIBGYOR spectrum before supplying it to the algae for photosynthesis. He saw that the oxygen loving bacteria congregated in the regions where the red and blue light was falling. This indicated that there is more oxygen produced in these regions as a consequence of phtotosynthesis. Engelmann thus concluded that the red and blue regions of the visible spectrum is more effective for photosynthesis.