UPPSC PCS - 2013

Photosynthesis using the invisible part of the sunlight is done by some

Year Asked: 2013

A
Trees
B
Algae
C
Bacteria
D
Fungi

Correct Answer

C. Bacteria

Detailed Explanation

Bacteria is correct. The invisible part of sunlight here is infrared, beyond the red end of the visible spectrum. Photosynthetic bacteria such as purple and green sulfur bacteria carry bacteriochlorophylls that absorb near-infrared wavelengths. Many of them use hydrogen sulfide rather than water as the electron donor, so they release sulfur instead of oxygen. This is anoxygenic photosynthesis.

  • Trees: Chlorophyll a and b absorb mainly red and blue visible light. Plants do not use infrared for oxygenic photosynthesis.
  • Algae: Algae use chlorophyll with accessory pigments such as carotenoids and phycobilins, which work in the visible range.
  • Fungi: Fungi are heterotrophs. Most lack chlorophyll entirely, so they do not photosynthesise.

Core concept: pigment-specific absorption spectra and the difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. For Mains, this links to the origin of photosynthesis and to microbial mats in extreme environments where light penetrates only as far-red or infrared.

Trap: Aspirants pick Algae because they are the familiar primary producers of aquatic food chains, and assume all photosynthetic organisms use the same visible-light pigments.

This question appeared in UPPCS 2013 GS Paper 1.

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