BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL Meaning and
Definition
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Bacteriochlorophyll refers to a type of pigment found in certain bacteria that enables them to carry out photosynthesis under anaerobic conditions. It is a variant of chlorophyll, the primary green pigment present in plants and algae responsible for capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis. Bacteriochlorophyll molecules are structurally similar to chlorophyll molecules, but with slight variations that allow them to absorb different wavelengths of light.
Bacteriochlorophyll is commonly found in photoautotrophic bacteria, also known as anoxygenic bacteria. These bacteria are capable of synthesizing their own organic compounds using light energy, but unlike plants, they do not produce oxygen as a byproduct. Bacteriochlorophyll absorbs light in the infrared region, allowing these bacteria to perform photosynthesis in environments with low light levels or with light of longer wavelengths.
The presence of bacteriochlorophyll gives the bacteria a unique appearance, often imparting them with colors other than green, such as purple or red, depending on the specific type of bacteriochlorophyll present. These pigments are associated with specialized structures called chlorosomes, which efficiently capture light energy for photosynthesis. Bacteriochlorophyll is an essential component of the photosynthetic apparatus in these bacteria, enabling them to survive and thrive in diverse environments, including deep-sea hydrothermal vents, freshwater sediments, and extreme habitats with low oxygen levels.
Common Misspellings for BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL
- vacteriochlorophyll
- nacteriochlorophyll
- hacteriochlorophyll
- gacteriochlorophyll
- bzcteriochlorophyll
- bscteriochlorophyll
- bwcteriochlorophyll
- bqcteriochlorophyll
- baxteriochlorophyll
- bavteriochlorophyll
- bafteriochlorophyll
- badteriochlorophyll
- bacreriochlorophyll
- bacferiochlorophyll
- bacgeriochlorophyll
- bacyeriochlorophyll
- bac6eriochlorophyll
- bac5eriochlorophyll
- bactwriochlorophyll
Etymology of BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL
The word "bacteriochlorophyll" originated from the combination of three components: "bacterio-", "chloro-", and "-phyll".
- "Bacterio-" relates to bacteria. This prefix is derived from the Greek word "bakterion" meaning "small staff" or "rod", referring to the bacterial shape often seen under a microscope.
- "Chloro-" is derived from the Greek word "chloros", meaning "pale green" or "yellowish-green", which denotes the color typically associated with chlorophyll.
- "-Phyll" is from the Greek word "phyllon" which means "leaf". It is a common suffix used in various scientific names and refers to the green pigment found in plants responsible for photosynthesis.
Combining these elements, "bacteriochlorophyll" refers to the green pigment found in certain bacteria that are capable of photosynthesis.
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