Cryptochromes

Definition

Cryptochromes are a class of flavoproteins that are sensitive to blue light and play a crucial role in the circadian rhythms and photomorphogenesis of plants. They help plants adapt to their light environment, influencing growth and development processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cryptochromes absorb blue and ultraviolet-A light, which triggers various developmental processes in plants.
2. They regulate the plant's circadian clock, affecting processes like leaf movement, stem elongation, and flowering time.
3. Cryptochromes work alongside other photoreceptors such as phytochromes and phototropins to mediate plant responses to light.
4. The cryptochrome gene family is evolutionarily conserved across many species, including animals and humans.
5. Mutations in cryptochrome genes can lead to defects in light perception and disrupted circadian rhythms in plants.

Review Questions

Related terms

Phytochromes: Photoreceptors that detect red and far-red light, playing a pivotal role in seed germination, shade avoidance, and flowering

Phototropins: Blue-light receptors involved in mediating phototropic curvature, chloroplast movement, and stomatal opening

Circadian Rhythms: Biological processes that follow an approximately 24-hour cycle, influenced by external cues like light