Action Spectrum

C1 8+

Pronunciation: /ˈækʃən ˈspɛktrəm/

Definitions of action spectrum

noun a spectrum showing the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in promoting a particular biological process, such as photosynthesis

Example Sentences

A1 An action spectrum is a graphical representation showing the rate of a biological process at different wavelengths of light.

A2 Scientists use action spectra to determine which wavelengths of light are most effective in driving a specific biological process.

B1 The action spectrum of photosynthesis shows that plants absorb light most efficiently in the red and blue regions of the spectrum.

B2 Researchers study the action spectrum of a reaction to understand how different factors influence its rate.

C1 Analyzing the action spectrum of a biochemical pathway can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of cellular processes.

C2 The action spectrum of a particular enzyme can reveal crucial information about its substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency.

Examples of action spectrum in a Sentence

formal The action spectrum is a graph that shows the rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light.

informal The action spectrum tells us which colors of light plants use the most for photosynthesis.

slang Plants have their own favorite colors of light according to the action spectrum.

figurative Just like how different colors of light affect photosynthesis, our actions have a spectrum of impact on others.

Grammatical Forms of action spectrum

past tense

acted

plural

action spectrums

comparative

more action spectrum

superlative

most action spectrum

present tense

acts

future tense

will act

perfect tense

has acted

continuous tense

is acting

singular

action spectrum

positive degree

action spectrum

infinitive

to act

gerund

acting

participle

acted

Origin and Evolution of action spectrum

First Known Use: 1881 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'action spectrum' originated in the field of photobiology, specifically in the study of how different wavelengths of light affect biological processes.
Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving a specific biological process, the term 'action spectrum' has evolved to encompass a broader range of applications in various scientific disciplines, including medicine, environmental science, and technology.