Why Are Plants Green Instead of Black?

The video explores why plants are predominantly green, despite green being a major color emitted by the sun. It discusses the hypothesis that plants might not aim to absorb maximum light but rather light that doesn't fluctuate much, protecting them from sudden energy changes. A study simulated chloroplasts to test this, finding that plants absorb specific wavelengths to balance energy intake. Evolution has fine-tuned plants to absorb optimal wavelengths, making green the ideal color for photosynthesis, with variations like purple in dense canopies.

What is one hypothesis for why plants are green?

• To absorb all sunlight

• To reflect all sunlight

• To protect against fluctuating sunlight

• To attract pollinators

How do plants manage sudden changes in sunlight?

• By averaging out energy from different wavelengths

• By reflecting all light

• By storing excess energy

• By absorbing only green light

What did the researchers simulate to test their hypothesis?

• A full plant

• A chloroplast

• A leaf

• A tree

What did the model predict about the color of plants under a dense canopy?

• Yellow

• Purple

• Red

• Green

According to the research, what is the ideal color for plants in normal sunlight?

• Red

• Green

• Purple

• Blue