Low Wavelength and Photosynthesis

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
7 replies · 2K views
quicksilver123
Messages
173
Reaction score
0
I realize this is not a biology forum.

Check out the attachment.

As expected, plants can use some low wavelength ultraviolet light for photosynthesis.

However, the photosynthetic process seems to go nuts when x-rays are used. This is the first time I've ever heard of this. Even gamma rays seem to produce good results.

Is this some sort of survival mechanism for a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland? :p

Or more likely, a throwback to a time when the Earth had a thinner atmosphere? (might be way off here). Would the lower wavelengths cause mutagenic effects?

Seeing as how wavelengths around 650nm seem to contribute to a rate of photosynthesis comparable to 350nm-450nm range, producing these high frequency waves would obviously be impractical and wasteful when there's plenty of good radio and microwave spectrum radiation lying around. :p

Has anyone read any studies about this?
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg
    12.3 KB · Views: 501
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't really have a source, sorry. This graph came included in the course materials for a physics course.
 
Then you should make sure you clarify that THAT is where you got it, and that you cannot attribute the source (it is a very bad form for your course material to not cite where they got something like this). Or else, if the owner of this graph happened to see it and there's no mention of any attempt at crediting the work, that does not make for a very good image of this forum.

Zz.
 
D'oh. That's embarrassing. The graph is only for visible light.

Topic delete please.
 
even useless and misleading threads?