Pigment

Definition

Pigments are molecules that absorb specific wavelengths of light and reflect others, giving them color. In plants, pigments play a crucial role in capturing light energy for photosynthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chlorophyll is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis.
2. Pigments absorb light most efficiently at specific wavelengths.
3. Different pigments absorb different wavelengths of light, contributing to the plant's ability to capture more energy.
4. Accessory pigments such as carotenoids and phycobilins help broaden the range of light a plant can use for photosynthesis.
5. Pigments are located within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

Review Questions

• What is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis?
• Why are accessory pigments important for photosynthesis?
• Where within the plant cell are pigments primarily located?

Related terms

Chlorophyll: A green pigment responsible for capturing light energy for photosynthesis.

Carotenoids: Accessory pigments that absorb blue and green light, reflecting yellow, orange, or red.

Thylakoid Membrane: The site within chloroplasts where pigments are located and where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.