Questions: 1. Which wavelengths would be expected to have the most bacteria?
2. Why?
Transcript text: 1. Which wavelengths would be expect to have the most bacteria?
2. Why?
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the Experiment and Its Purpose
Thomas Engelmann's experiment aimed to determine which wavelengths of light are most effective for photosynthesis by using a filament of algae and oxygen-requiring bacteria.
Step 2: Analyze the Distribution of Bacteria
The image shows the distribution of aerobic bacteria around the filament of algae exposed to different wavelengths of light. The bacteria congregate where the oxygen concentration is highest, indicating the regions of highest photosynthetic activity.
Step 3: Determine the Wavelengths with Most Bacteria
From the image, the highest concentration of aerobic bacteria is found around the blue (approximately 450 nm) and red (approximately 680 nm) regions of the light spectrum.
Final Answer
The wavelengths expected to have the most bacteria are around 450 nm (blue light) and 680 nm (red light).
These wavelengths correspond to the peaks of chlorophyll absorption, where photosynthesis is most efficient, producing the most oxygen and attracting the most aerobic bacteria.