The pattern of bands or lines obtained by passing white light through a selectively absorbing substance into a spectroscope. It is specific for any one compound and gives a characteristic profile when plotted against wavelength. Absorption spectra have been important in the study of photosynthesis: a comparison of the absorption spectra of the various photo-synthetic pigments with the * action spectrum of photosynthesis shows which pigments are contributing absorbed light energy to the photosynthetic process. |
