Why are plants not black? (Part 2)?

Question

Nine months ago I asked this question, but only 20% of the Answerers read the question properly (thanks 'Tom' and **Backstreet fan**), and I want to try again, so...

Apart from bad luck (i.e. lack of the appropriate mutations), is there a reason why photosynthesising organisms have not evolved the appropriate pigments for absorbing all the available wavelengths of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface? (This, of course, would make them appear black.)

To put it another way, most photosynthesising organisms do not absorb 'green' wavelengths, as chlorophyll reflects this colour. This seems a waste of energy. There are other pigments, apart from chlorophyll, that can absorb light, converting the energy into biochemical energy. Why are there no species that make use of a 'battery' of pigments, absorbing all available wavelengths, making most efficient use of the sunlight reaching the Earth's surface - and thus appearing black?

Answer 1

Interesting. I would say plants are not black, because they're green; evolution does not pick from an unfettered pool of options, it works within the limits of what has gone before.

Anyway, this should shed some light (arf) on the matter -

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/200...

Answer 2

plants are green due to their chlorophyll and plants without chlorophyll won't exist

Answer 3

Some Tulips are black - look up on the net, they are amazing to see

Answer 4

Just to clarify, you're talking about the leaves, right? Because I know that there are a number of varieties of rose which have been bred with pure black flowers.

Answer 5

Good question!

1-but from the action spectrum of photosynthesis we know that the wave lengths other then green and yellow(like blue,red) are best in deriving the process of photosynthesis thats why these wave lengths are reflected.

2-besids this if the pigments will absorb whole energy then they will be destroyed therefore some of it is reflected.

Answer 6

You've obviously never seen Black Mondo Grass... And yes it is the whole plant that is black. Doesn't grow very fast, and considering your question or statement - doesn't appear that being black is all that great for absorption of light energy. Besides, I'm much happier in white clothes than I am in dark clothes on a sunny day. It must depend on my location from the equator, for if I was further away - I would prefer darker clothes. What I'm saying, is there has to be a proper balance between losing all moisture being too dark given the current temp/humidity/etc - AND - being too light to not absorb light and have the energy to grow at all, rather puff up with water content like most succulents have done over the eons.

How does anyone really know that what we see on a microscopic level is what we've explained it to be? There are many layers that are (by no fault of our own) overlooked and misinterpreted constantly. It's only 2008

Answer 7

they go back when they die!!!