Plant pigments and photoreceptors

what is a photoreceptor

molecules that perceive light and use external stimulus to tell the plant what to do (ex: if plant in shade-tells plant to go towards light)

what is a pigment

absorb wavelengths of light and reflect others making the plants color

what are the photoreceptors of a plant

cryptochromes, phototropins, UVR8, and phytochromes

what are the pigments of a plant

chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains

what is the function of cryptochromes

helps w/ plant growth and regulation of circadian clock

what wavelength does cryptochrome absorb

UVA and blue light

what is the function of phototropins

optimizes photosynthesis for growth and development, controls stomatal openings, controls phototropism, chloroplast accumulation, leaf expansion and leaf movement

what wavelength do phototropins absorb

blue light

what is the function of UVR8

helps with plant stress response, DNA repair, protection sunscreen pigments present

what wavelength does UVR8 absorb

UV-B(lots of UV light)

which wavelength has no color to humans

far red

what is the function of phytochromes

regulates time of flowering and synthesizes chlorophyll

what wavelengths do phytochromes absorb

red and far red

what is the function of chlorophyll

helps absorb sunlight for photosynthesis

what wavelength does chlorophyll absorb

red + blue

what wavelength does chlorophyll reflect

green + yellow

what is the function of carotenoids

antioxidant and helps capture energy for photosynthesis

what wavelength does carotenoids reflect

yellow, red and orange

what wavelength does carotenoids absorb

blue/green

what is the function of anthocyanins

attracts pollinators and seed dispersers and protects from biotic and abiotic stressors

what wavelength does anthocyanin absorb

blue/green

what wavelength does anthocyanin reflect

red and purple, yellow (depends on pH)

what is the function of betalains

protects the plant from UV light (sunscreen)

what wavelengths do betalains absorb

blue and green

what wavelength does betalain reflect

yellow/ orange

what functions do pigments and photoreceptors control

photosynthesis, uv light damage, circadian clock, phototropism, stomatal opening, chloroplast position, pollination and seed dispersal, seed germination, flowering, and shade adjustment

which pigments/ photoreceptors control photosynthesis

chlorophyll and carotenoids

which pigments/ photoreceptors control uv light damage

anthocyanins, betalains, and UVR8

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls phototropism

phototropins

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls stomatal opening

phototropins

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls pollination and seed dispersal

betalains

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls seed germination

phytochromes

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls flowering

phytochromes

which pigment/ photoreceptor controls shade adjustment

phytochromes