photosynthetic pigment
nounUK /ˌfəʊtəʊsɪnˈθetɪk ˈpɪɡmənt/
US /ˌfoʊtoʊsɪnˈθetɪk ˈpɪɡmənt/
A colorful thing in plants that helps them catch sunlight to make food.
Chlorophyll is the green photosynthetic pigment that makes leaves look green.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A pigment that absorbs light energy and passes it to the reaction center during photosynthesis.
Scientists studied how each photosynthetic pigment transfers energy to the reaction center.
3. Any light-absorbing molecule in algae or bacteria used to power carbon fixation.
Some bacteria rely on a purple photosynthetic pigment to capture light.
4. A natural coloring substance in plant cells that supports energy capture rather than just display.
The red photosynthetic pigment in autumn leaves helps protect the plant as chlorophyll breaks down.