What term describes the range of wavelengths of light useful for photosynthesis?

The term that accurately describes the range of wavelengths of light useful for photosynthesis is the action spectrum. This spectrum specifically illustrates the efficiency of photosynthesis at different wavelengths, highlighting the particular colors of light that plants utilize most effectively to convert light energy into chemical energy.

The action spectrum was first determined by measuring the rate of photosynthesis at various wavelengths, which showed peaks in efficiency at blue and red light. This information is crucial because it correlates the absorption of specific wavelengths by chlorophyll and other pigments with the overall photosynthetic process.

In contrast, the visible spectrum includes all the wavelengths of light that the human eye can detect, which does not specifically target the wavelengths utilized for photosynthesis. The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a much broader range of wavelengths, including ultraviolet and infrared light, which are not involved in photosynthesis. The absorption spectrum, on the other hand, indicates which wavelengths are absorbed by chlorophyll and other pigments, rather than illustrating their actual effectiveness in driving photosynthesis.