Accessory pigment is a term used in biology to describe a group of pigments that are present in photosynthetic organisms such as plants, algae, and some bacteria. These pigments play a vital role in capturing light energy and transferring it to chlorophyll, the primary pigment responsible for photosynthesis.
Definitions
An accessory pigment is a pigment that absorbs light energy and transfers it to the primary pigment, chlorophyll, during photosynthesis. It is also known as an antenna pigment as it acts as an antenna that captures light energy.
Origin
The term accessory pigment originated from the Latin word “accessorius,” which means “additional” or “supplementary.” It was first used in the field of botany to describe the pigments that are present in plants besides chlorophyll.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, accessory pigment is defined as “a pigment that absorbs light energy and transfers it to chlorophyll during photosynthesis.”
In the Oxford English dictionary, it is defined as “a pigment that absorbs light energy and transfers it to the primary pigment, chlorophyll, during photosynthesis.”
Associations
Accessory pigments are associated with the process of photosynthesis in plants, algae, and some bacteria. They are responsible for capturing light energy and transferring it to chlorophyll, which then converts it into chemical energy.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of accessory pigment include antenna pigment, secondary pigment, and supplementary pigment.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of accessory pigment as it is a specific term used in the field of biology.
The same root words
The same root words as accessory pigment include access, accessory, and accessorial.
Example Sentences
- The accessory pigments in the leaves of the plant help to capture light energy and transfer it to chlorophyll.
- Algae contain a variety of accessory pigments that allow them to absorb light energy from different parts of the spectrum.
- The presence of accessory pigments in cyanobacteria enables them to carry out photosynthesis even in low light conditions.