phycoerythrin
Definition
Noun: 1. A red photosynthetic pigment found in red algae and some cyanobacteria: Phycoerythrin is a protein-pigment complex (a phycobiliprotein) that absorbs blue-green light and appears red. It plays a crucial role in capturing light energy for photosynthesis in certain algae, particularly in deeper waters where other wavelengths of light are filtered out.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The characteristic red color of the seaweed is due to the presence of phycoerythrin.
- Scientists study phycoerythrin for its fluorescent properties, which are useful in biological research.
- In low-light marine environments, phycoerythrin allows red algae to utilize the available blue light efficiently.
Advanced Usage
- As a fluorescent tag: Due to its strong fluorescence, purified phycoerythrin is often conjugated to antibodies or other molecules to serve as a fluorescent label (a tag) in flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy.
- The cell population was labeled with an antibody linked to phycoerythrin for analysis.
Variants and Related Words
- Phycobiliprotein (n): The broader class of light-harvesting pigment proteins to which phycoerythrin belongs. Other members include phycocyanin (blue) and allophycocyanin.
- Phycoerythrobilin (n): The specific light-absorbing chromophore (the pigmented molecule) bound within the phycoerythrin protein.
Synonyms
- R-phycoerythrin (a specific type)
- B-phycoerythrin (a specific type)
- Red algal pigment
Related Terms & Context
- Photosynthesis (n): The biological process for which phycoerythrin functions as an accessory pigment.
- Chlorophyll (n): The primary green pigment in photosynthesis; phycoerythrin is an accessory pigment that complements chlorophyll's light absorption.
- Accessory pigment (n): A pigment that captures light energy and transfers it to chlorophyll-a; phycoerythrin is a key example.
Noun
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red pigment in red algae
