Phycobilisome
Phycobilisome
Phycobilisome (pronunciation: /ˌfaɪkoʊˈbɪlɪˌsoʊm/) is a light-harvesting complex found in cyanobacteria and red algae. The term is derived from the Greek words 'phyco' meaning seaweed and 'bilis' meaning bile, referring to the bilin pigments that give these complexes their characteristic color.
Structure
Phycobilisomes are large protein complexes that are attached to the thylakoid membrane in the cells of cyanobacteria and red algae. They consist of a core of allophycocyanin molecules surrounded by rods of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin molecules.
Function
The primary function of phycobilisomes is to absorb light energy and transfer it to the photosynthetic reaction center, where it is used to power the process of photosynthesis. They are particularly efficient at absorbing wavelengths of light that are not well absorbed by chlorophyll, allowing these organisms to carry out photosynthesis in deep water or low light conditions.
Related Terms
- Cyanobacteria: A phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis.
- Red Algae: A group of algae that are characterized by their red color, which is caused by the pigment phycoerythrin.
- Thylakoid Membrane: The site of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
- Allophycocyanin: A protein-pigment complex that is part of the light-harvesting system in cyanobacteria and red algae.
- Phycocyanin: A pigment-protein complex from the light-harvesting phycobiliprotein family.
- Phycoerythrin: A red protein-pigment complex present in red algae and cyanobacteria.
- Photosynthetic Reaction Center: A complex of several proteins, pigments and other co-factors that together execute the primary energy conversion reactions of photosynthesis.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phycobilisome
- Wikipedia's article - Phycobilisome
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