Pictorial demonstrations of photosynthesis

Theodor Engelmann's experiments in 1882 provided the first recorded visual demonstration of light wavelengths that are absorbed by photosynthetic pigments. Later, starch images in intact leaves were used to demonstrate photosynthesis in green plants. Similarly, light-induced chloroplast movements can form images in leaves as a result of changes in light transmittance through leaves and photoinhibition can form images that can be visualized by whole leaf chlorophyll fluorescence. This paper provides a brief account of how photosynthesis has been used to create an assortment of 'living images' that offer stunning demonstrations of various aspects of photosynthesis.