Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 1TC
To determine

The factors that limit productivity. Also describe the methods that evolved by marine producers to cope with the lack of red light needed by chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1TC

Lack of nutrients and light limits productivity. The lack of red light can cope with the accessory pigments that are reddish in color.

Explanation of Solution

Limiting factor can be defined as a physical or biological requirement in which the presence in inappropriate quantities limits an organism’s normal actions. In this case, it can be considered as the generation of carbohydrate.

Four ingredients are required mainly for the photosynthetic autotrophs to generate carbohydrates. They are water, carbon dioxide, inorganic nutrients, and sunlight. In the ocean, water is not considered as a limiting factor. It is either due to the high solubility in water or due to the large amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean; hence, it is not a limiting factor. Therefore, the availability of nutrients and light is considered as the two limiting factors in marine primary productivity.

Color is a factor that is dependent on chlorophyll. Red light is rapidly absorbed and converts into heat when it encounters the hydrogen bonds of water. It is solved with the aid of accessory pigments. Accessory pigments that are reddish in color as in red algae can absorb blue light and re-radiate it as green light.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
FORM OF VOLCANO
f the same amount of sunlight was hitting an area of land and an area of water, which area would heat more rapidly?   The land would heat more rapidly.   The water would heat more rapidly.   They would both heat at about the same rate   It would depend on the characteristics of the water and land.
The Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province has which of the following characteristics?   Many fertile swamps and marshes   Low, rolling hills   Folding, uplift, and faulting   Small mountain ranges and flat valleys
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Text book image
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,