thoughts on coral photosynthesis

actually, quite the contrary. each organism will have a specific wavelength that will be the most effective for photosynthesis. From here the specific photosystem I of each individual organism will do with it what it wants with the photons (either send them through multiple photosystems II, III, etc. until the photon is too low of energy to be any use for the coral. At this time the photon either has transformed all energy or else is re-emitted from the photosystems.)
So to simplify, say that photosystem I absorbs 450nm and strips the energy from the photon until it is 400nm, then photosystem II might strip the photon for energy until it is down to 350nm, and then photosystem III strips it from 350nm to 300nm, etc.

And to answer your other question: yes, corals do grow better at violet and blue wavelengths (which is what I have been trying to tell people for years.) the 10k growth vs 20k growth is a myth. But the limiting factor behind growth in our aquariums is the quantity of photons being absorbed. generally 20k brands put out less quantity of photons so it is harder for the corals to absorb them and grow at their quickest potential... but the quality of the photons are much more desirable for the coral.

 

Nicely put Dingo!

Chelsea, don't take this offensively, but I just think you are a bit confused about how photosynthesis works. It is confusing, it took me quite a while to get it all down when I was in Bio.

Photosystems 1 and 2 aren't different names for the chlorophyll. Their reaction centers just use light from different wavelengths, which is absorbed from different pigments. Also remember that the pigments I mentioned are for plants.

Algae are not plants, they are Protists, a completely different Kingdom. Brown algae (contain a lot of the seaweeds) have some brown pigments in their chloroplasts. Red algae has an accessory pigment masks the green of chlorophyll.

 

also, carotenoids are one of the most important proteins responsible for light differentiation and are essential for protecting photosystems from harmful photons. Carotenoids are also responsible for our ability to see light and colors.

They are involved in light dependent reactions because when carotenoids are excited by photons, they change their physical shape. This opens up sites for molecules to bind, allowing a transfer of energy... they are essential in most light reactions because of this.

 

thanks everyone! i did some research and you guys are right, i should know that my text book would be wrong, they call a sexy shrimp a coral banded shrimp! who does that!

 

non-reefers.

 

Corals may use blue light better, but blue light is higher energy. It takes more energy to produce the same amount of blue light, as say yellow or red light. That is why you get more PAR from a "whiter" blub. So, likely it is somewhat of a wash, although, as mentioned, specific corals may have different preferences, pigments etc...