BI110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Bacteriorhodopsin, Simple Eye In Invertebrates, Rhodopsin
Document Summary
Light: serves 2 important functions [1] source of energy that directly or indirectly sustains all organisms. [2] light provides organisms with information about the physical world that surrounds them. Each cell contains 1 chloroplast that harvests light energy (photosynthesis) Contains light censor called eyespot (allows cells to gather location and intensity of a light source) electromagnetic radiation: energy given off by converting hydrogen to helium. Light is the portion of electromagnetic spectrum humans can detect with their eyes. Light is composed of a stream of energy particles called photons (particle wave duality) The relationship between the wavelength of light and the energy of photons in carries is an inverse one: the longer the wavelength, the lower the energy of the photons it contains. Small portion of spectrum is essential for life [400-700 nm] Longer wave lengths: tend not to reach earth"s surface, not too concerned about longer wavelengths because they don"t have enough electrons to excite photons.
