chromophore

(noun)

the group of atoms in a molecule in which the electronic transition responsible for a given spectral band is located

Related Terms

Examples of chromophore in the following topics:

  • Plant Responses to Light

    • The response of plants to light is mediated by different photoreceptors: a protein covalently-bonded to a light-absorbing pigment called a chromophore; together, called a chromoprotein.
    • The chromophore of the photoreceptor absorbs light of specific wavelengths, causing structural changes in the photoreceptor protein.

  • Blue Light Response

    • Like all plant photoreceptors, phototropins consist of a protein portion and a light-absorbing portion, called the chromophore, which senses blue wavelengths of light.
    • Phototropins belong to a class of proteins called flavoproteins because the chromophore is a covalently-bound molecule of flavin.
    • Their chromophores also contain a flavin-based chromophore.

  • The Phytochrome System and Red Light Response

    • The phytochromes are a family of chromoproteins with a linear tetrapyrrole chromophore, similar to the ringed tetrapyrrole light-absorbing head group of chlorophyll.
    • Absorption of red or far-red light causes a massive change to the shape of the chromophore, altering the conformation and activity of the phytochrome protein to which it is bound.