Quarter 2: Module 2

CHLOROPHYLL AND
OTHER PIGMENTS

A Presentation of SHANE GARRIDO

Grade 12-STEM
WHAT ARE PIGMENTS? Slide 1
 These are colored substances by plant that
absorb light rays from the visible region of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
 The color we see is the net effect of all the light
reflecting back at us
Functions of Pigments in Plants

• Primary Function: Photosynthesis

• Uses green pigment chlorophyll along with several red and yellow
pigments

• Help to capture as much light as possible

• Attracting insects to flowers for pollination

Pigments of Plants

Chlorophyll Carotenoid

Xanthophyll Anthocyanin

Betalain
CHLOROPHYLL
 Green pigment found in
plants, algae, and
phytoplankton

 Used in photosynthesis as
photoreceptor

 Make plants and algae

appear green

 Absorbs red and blue light

 Reflects green light

 Example: Green plants

 6 Types of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll A Chlorophyll B

• Primary molecule • Mainly found in land plants,

responsible for aquatic plants, and
photosynthesis green algae
• Found in in every single
photosynthesizing organism
 6 Types of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll C Chlorophyll D

• Found in red algae, brown • Minor pigment found in

algae, and dinoglagellates some red algae
 6 types of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll E Chlorophyll F

• Rare pigment found in • Recently discovered in some

yellow-green algae cyanobacteria near
Australia
 Functions of Chlorophyll
• Main pigment in photosynthesis
• Giving plants their green color
• Helps to channel the energy of sunlight into chemical
energy
• Attract pollinators and seed disperses
OTHER PIGMENTS
 CAROTENOIDS
 Absorb wavelength not readily
absorbed by chlorophyll

 Absorbs violet and blue-green

light

 Reflects yellow, orange, and/or

red light

 Example: Carotene (found in

carrots), Lutein (yellow pigment
found in fruits and vegetables),
and Lycopene (red pigment
found in tomatoes)
 Functions of Carotenoids
• Accessory pigments in all plants
• Absorbs light energy
• Getting rid of excess light energy
• Absorbs excess light energy in chloroplast and dissipate it as
heat
• Anti oxidant
• Attract pollinators and seed disperses
 XANTHOPHYLL
 Fourth common class of
pigments

 Essentially oxidized carotenes

 Do not absorb energy as well as

carotenoids

 Absorbs blue and ultraviolet

light

 Reflects brown or yellow light

 Example: Spinach and cabbage

 Functions of Xanthophyll

• Attract pollinators and seed disperses

• Accessory pigments in all plants
ANTHOCYANIN
 Water soluble flavonoid pigments

 Occurs in all tissues of higher

plants but the color is not
noticeable

 In acidic condition, it appears as

red pigment while blue pigment
exists in alkaline conditions

 Absorbs blue-green light

 Reflects blue, red and purple

light

 Example: Eggplant and onion

 Functions of Anthocyanin
• Traditionally used as dye and food colorant
• Used as medicine to treat various cancers as it possess
antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
anti-obesity effects, and prevention of cardiovascular
diseases
• Accessory pigments in all plants
• Attract pollinators and seed dispersers
Betalain
 Water soluble pigment

 Synthesized from tyrosine

 Absorbs blue-green light

 Reflects red-violet and yellow

light
 Functions of Betalin
• Accessory pigments in all plants
• Anti-oxidant
• Protection against heart diseases, ulcers, liver damage and
various cancers
• Attract pollinators and seed disperses
 Slide 1
“LIFE WOULD BE
NOTHING WITHOUT
PLANTS AND PLANTS
WOULD BE NOTHING
WITHOUT COLORS”