A light-absorbing molecule contributing to energy capture in photosynthesis. The absorption bands determine which wavelengths can be used by a particular pigment system.
A photosynthetic pigment that expands or modifies light harvesting alongside the principal reaction-centre pigment. Different groups can exploit different surviving wavelengths in a water column.
A phycobilin is a light-absorbing linear tetrapyrrole chromophore associated with particular photosynthetic antenna proteins. Its extended conjugated framework absorbs visible light.
Different phycobilin-containing complexes absorb different spectral regions, including wavelengths used less effectively by chlorophyll a. The chromophore's chemical structure and its protein environment jointly shape the observed spectrum.
A carotenoid is a member of a pigment family characterized by an extended conjugated carbon framework, commonly based on a forty-carbon skeleton. Conjugation gives these molecules strong absorption in parts of the visible spectrum.
Carotenoids can contribute to light harvesting and photoprotection. They can therefore broaden the usable spectrum of a photosynthetic system while helping manage excitation that would otherwise cause damage.
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