Where Are Photosynthetic Pigments Found in Green Plants?
Whether directly or indirectly, nearly all life on Earth relies on solar energy converted to chemical energy through a process called photosynthesis. Plants, algae and bacteria called cyanobacteria are among the organisms that use photosynthesis to make their food. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Photosynthetic pigments are molecules that capture light energy for use in photosynthesis. There are several kinds of important photosynthetic pigments, namely chlorophylls, carotenoids and phycobilins. Each type of pigment preferentially absorbs certain wavelengths of the light spectrum. Chlorophyll, for example, is best at absorbing blue, purple and red light and reflects most green light, which is why chlorophyll and plant tissues that contain it are green.
Features
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In plants, photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts, which are membrane-enclosed structures found in plant cells and primarily in the mesophyll or middle layer of the leaves. Small sacs called thylakoids are stacked inside the chloroplasts; the photosynthetic pigments are found within the membranes of the thylakoids.
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Fun Fact
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During the autumn, deciduous plants at cooler higher latitudes decrease chlorophyll production and rely increasingly on other pigments such as the carotenoids to sustain photosynthesis. Since the color of the other pigments is no longer masked by the abundant chlorophyll, the leaves change color to red, orange or gold in the fall.
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References
- Photo Credit plants image by Dave from Fotolia.com
