Emerson effect

noun

The increase in the rate of photosynthesis after chloroplasts are exposed to light of wavelength less than 680 nm (deep red spectrum) and more than 680 nm (far red spectrum).

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Meanings

nounEmerson effect (plural Emerson effects)

plural Emerson effects

  1. biochemistryThe increase in the rate of photosynthesis after chloroplasts are exposed to light of wavelength less than 680 nm (deep red spectrum) and more than 680 nm (far red spectrum).

Origin

Named after American botanist and biochemist Robert Emerson (1903–1959), who described the effect in 1957.

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Cite this entry
APA

Emerson effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emerson%20effect

MLA

“Emerson effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emerson%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Emerson effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emerson%20effect.

Source: Emerson effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.