bacteriochlorophylls
Bacteriochlorophylls are pigments found in certain photosynthetic bacteria, enabling them to capture light energy for photosynthesis. Unlike chlorophylls found in plants, bacteriochlorophylls absorb light at different wavelengths, particularly in the infrared range, allowing these bacteria to thrive in low-light environments.
These pigments are crucial for the process of converting light energy into chemical energy, which supports the growth and metabolism of purple bacteria and green sulfur bacteria. Bacteriochlorophylls play a significant role in the global carbon cycle by facilitating the conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds.