phycobilin

phy·co·bi·lin  (fk-bln)

n.

Any of a group of water-soluble proteinaceous pigments that occur in red algae and cyanobacteria.

---

[phyco- + Latin blis, bile + -in.]

---

phycobilin [ˌfaɪkəʊˈbaɪlɪn]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) Biology any of a class of red or blue-green pigments found in the red algae and cyanobacteria

---

phycobilin  (fk-bln)

Any of a class of water-soluble, mostly red, orange, and blue pigments found in cyanobacteria and red algae. Phycobilins absorb the blue and blue-green frequencies of light which penetrate deep water, and allow red algae to carry on photosynthesis at greater depths than other organisms. Phycobilins are chemically similar to chlorophyll and, like the heme in hemoglobin, are often found bound to proteins.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

phycobilin - water-soluble proteinaceous pigments found in red algae and cyanobacteria pigment - dry coloring material (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc.)