Question

What did Engelmam observed from his prism experiments?

• A. Bacteria could not be used to detect the sites of $O_2$ evolution
• B. Bacteria accumulated and released excess carbon dioxide in red and blue light
• C. Bacteria accumulated due to increases in temperature caused by increase in oxygen concentration
• D. Bacteria are accumulated towards red and blue light

Answer 1

The correct option is B Bacteria accumulated and released excess carbon dioxide in red and blue light

Engelman was a botanist who experimented on the algal filaments in order to study the wavelength of lights which affects the rate of photosynthesis. The prism was used to obtain a spectrum of visible light. This light spectrum was focused on the algal filaments. The bacteria gathered at the red and the blue regions. There were very few bacteria near the green light. Maximum amount of carbon dioxide was produced in the red and blue region, and oxygen in the green region by the algal filaments. This experiment concluded that the blue and the red regions of light effect the rate of photosynthesis and evolution of oxygen.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.