What is the relationship between chlorophyll and carotenoids?

chlorophyll and carotenoids are both pigments or chromophores that are involved in photosynthesis. Both chlorophyll and carotenoids are responsible for the harvesting of light, absorbing photons and the transfer of excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction center. However, only chlorophyll works in the reaction center to separate the charge over the cell membrane. It is a chlorophyll that starts a number of reactions for electron transmission, which eventually reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbohydrates. Chlorophyll is well known for its green appearance and is the most abundant photosynthetic pigment on Earth. Dozens of types of chlorophyll molecules have been discovered since their original discovery. They are all cyclic tetrapyrrols and usually contain central ion magnesium. Chlorophyll's chemical structure has the potential to easily get or lose electrons easily, allowing it to absorb photons and transfer excitation energy into and within the photosynthetic reaction center. Different types of chlorophylls that work in combination are SCHOPNY absorb light over most photosynthetic spectrum, from 330-050 nanometers. The exception is what is called a "green gap", around 500 nanometers. Supplementary pigments are obliged to fill in this absorption gap.

The second limitation of chlorophylls is based on the characteristics itself, which makes them such powerful pigments in the photosynthetic system: their ability to maintain long -term excited states. However, this ability also leads to a tendency to generate oxygen. Again, complementary pigments, especially carotenoids, are able to help solve this problem.

Carotenoids are chromophores that are usually red, orange or yellow. The most famous carotenoid is probably carotene, which gives carrots their orange color. Carotenoids have two main functions: Light energy harvest for photosynthesis and protection of chlorophyll from light damage.

For their primary function, carotenoids absorb light energy from photon. Along with Biliproteins, they help absorb energy in the "green gap" near 500 nanometers. They are unable to transfer this energy directly to the photosynthetic track in the response center. Rather, they transmit excitation energy directly to chlorophyll molecules, which then transmit energy to reaction centers and photosynthetic pathways. Thus, carotenoids are known as complementary pigments and chlorophyll and carotenoids together form light-barvesting antenna in cells.

Perhaps the most important function of carotenoids is the protection of chlorophyll and the surrounding cells from light damage. Chlorophylls often create toxic reactive oxygen species that cause a variety of cell damage, and are particularly susceptible to generating such free radicals under high light conditions. Carotenoids are able to absorb excess light and divert it from chlorophyll. In contrast to chlorophyll, carotenoids may harmlessly convert excessiveExcitation energy to heat.