Bacteriochlorophyll

Definition

Bacteriochlorophyll is a type of chlorophyll found in photosynthetic bacteria that helps capture light energy for photosynthesis. It plays a crucial role in converting light energy into chemical energy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bacteriochlorophyll absorbs light wavelengths that are different from those absorbed by plant chlorophylls, often in the infrared region.
2. It is primarily found in anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, including purple and green sulfur bacteria.
3. There are several types of bacteriochlorophylls, such as bacteriochlorophyll a, b, c, d, and e, each with slightly different absorption properties.
4. Bacteriochlorophyll molecules are located within the photosynthetic membranes or chromatophores of these bacteria.
5. The presence of bacteriochlorophyll allows these bacteria to thrive in low-light environments where other photosynthetic organisms cannot.

Review Questions

• What type of organisms primarily contain bacteriochlorophyll?
• How does the absorption spectrum of bacteriochlorophyll differ from that of plant chlorophyll?
• Where within the bacterial cell is bacteriochlorophyll typically located?

Related terms

Photosynthesis:

The process by which organisms convert light energy into chemical energy.

Anoxygenic Photosynthesis: A form of photosynthesis that does not produce oxygen as a byproduct.

Chlorosome: A specialized structure in some photosynthetic bacteria that contains bacteriochlorophyll and aids in capturing light energy.