Chloroplast and Other Pigments

Pigments

→ These are colored substances by plant that absorb light rays from the visible region of the electromagnetic o spectrum.

> The color we see is the net effect of all the light reflecting back at us

• Primary Function: Photosynthesis

• Uses green pigment chlorophyll along with several red and yellow pigments

• Help to capture as much light as possible

• Attracting insects to flowers for pollination

Functions of Pigments in Plants

1. Chlorophyll

2. Carotenoid

3. Xanthophyll

4. Anthocyanin

5. Betalain

Pigments of Plants:

1. Chlorophyll - Green

2. Carotenoid - Orange

3. Xanthophyll - Yellow

4. Anthocyanin - Purple

5. Betalain - Red

Colors of the following:

Chlorophyll

• Green pigment found in plants, algae, and phytoplankton

• Used in photosynthesis as photoreceptor

• Make plants and algae appear green

• Reflects green light

• Example: Green plants

Chlorophyll

• Absorbs red and blue light

Chlorophyll A - F

6 Types of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll A

• Primary molecule responsible for photosynthesis

• Found in in every single photosynthesizing organism

Chlorophyll B

• Mainly found in land plants, aquatic plants, and green algae

Chlorophyll C

Found in red algae, brown algae, and dinoglagellates

Chlorophyll E

Rare pigment found in yellow-green algae

Chlorophyll D

• Minor pigment found in some red algae

Chlorophyll F

• Recently discovered in some cyanobacteria near Australia

• Main pigment in photosynthesis

• Giving plants their green color

• Helps to channel the energy of sunlight into chemical energy

• Attract pollinators and seed disperses

Functions of Chlorophyll

Carotenoids

• Absorb wavelength not readily absorbed by chlorophyll

• Absorbs violet and blue-green light

• Reflects yellow, orange, and/on red light

Carotenoids

• Absorbs violet and blue-green light

Carotenoids

• Reflects yellow, orange, and/on red light

1. Carotene (found in carrots)

2. Lutein (yellow pigment found in fruits and vegetables)

3. Lycopene (red pigment found in tomatoes)

Examples of Carotenoids:

• Accessory pigments in all plants

• Absorbs light energy

• Getting rid of excess light energy

• Absorbs excess light energy in chloroplast and dissipate it as heat

• Anti oxidant

• Attract pollinators and seed disperses

Functions of Carotenoids:

Xanthophyll

• Fourth common class of pigments

Xanthophyll

• Essentially oxidized carotenes

Xanthophyll

• Do not absorb energy as well as carotenoids

Xanthophyll

• Absorbs blue and ultraviolet light

Xanthophyll

• Reflects brown or yellow light

• Example: Spinach and cabbage

• Attract pollinators and seed disperses a

• Accessory pigments in all plants

Functions of Xanthophyll:

• Traditionally used as dye and food colorant

• Used as medicine to treat various cancers as it possess antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,

• anti-obesity effects, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases

• Accessory pigments in all plants

• Attract pollinators and seed dispersers

Functions of Anthocyanin:

Betalain

• Water Soluble pigment

Betalain

• Synthesized from tyrosine

Betalain

• Absorbs blue -green light

Betalain

• Reflects red-violet and yellow light

• Accessory pigments in all plants

• Anti-oxidant

• Protection against heart diseases, ulcers, liver damage and various cancers

• Attract pollinators and seed disperses

Functions of Betalain:

Anthocyanin

• Water soluble flavonoid pigments

Anthocyanin

• Occurs in all tissues, of higher plants but the color is not noticeable

Anthocyanin

• In acidic condition, it appears, os red pigment vihile blue pigment exists in alkaline conditions

• Absorbs blue green light

• Reflects blue, red and purple light

Example. Eggplant and onion

Anthocyanin

• Absorbs blue green light

Anthocyanin

• Reflects blue, red and purple light

Anthocyanin

Example. Eggplant and onion