State two reasons why all of the sunlight that falls on the leaf is not available for photosynthesis?

Question

State two reasons why all of the sunlight that falls on the leaf is not available for photosynthesis?

Answer 1

1 - The Leaf does not absorb all wavelengths of light.

2-  Not all absorbed light is converted to energy.  (IE:  colors of leaf structure absorbing, when chlorophyll absorbs a more limited spectrum)

Answer 2

1)  Photosynthesis generally occurs using red and blue light.  Other wavelengths do not work with chlorophyll (but may with other pigments).  Thus leaves look green as the red and blue are absorbed.

2)  Some of the wavelengths of sunlight are ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) or infrared and provide more heat than light to chloroplasts.

Answer 3

Some would be reflected.   I think that the light might have to hit a chloroplast to be used, also, and some light probably goes on through the leaf.