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We will discuss the role of pigments in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that, through cellular respiration, can later be released to fuel the organism's activities.
1.
What Is the Role of
Pigments in
Photosynthesis?
Light and Pigments
2.
Role of Pigments
Pigments are light-absorbing colored
molecules.
Different pigments absorb different
wavelengths of light. Chlorophylls are the
major light-absorbing pigments in plants.
They absorb energy from violet-blue
light and reflect green light, giving
plants their green color.
4.
Accessory Pigments
Role of Accessory Pigments:
Accessory pigments help plants
absorb additional light. Plants need
to make these accessory pigments to
maximize the amount of
photosynthesis they can do.
More pigments = More glucose or
food for the plant!
5.
Types of Accessory
Pigments
Carotenoids: reflect yellow, orange,
and red light.
Carotenoids give carrots and sweet
potatoes their orange color and are
very common in our area.
Anthocyans: reflect red, blue, violet
light.
Xanthophylls: reflect yellow light.
6.
Accessory Pigments
Accessory pigments are the reason
leaves change colors in autumn. In
green leaves, there is so much
chlorophyll that it masks the other
pigments.
In autumn, as trees prepare to lose their
leaves, the chlorophyll molecules break
down, revealing the colors of other
pigments. The colors red, yellow, and
orange can be seen.
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