"Retinal-containing cell membranes exhibit a single light absorption peak centered in the energy-rich green-yellow region of the visible spectrum, but transmit and reflect red and blue light, resulting in a magenta color.[5] Chlorophyll pigments, in contrast, absorb red and blue light, but little or no green light [..]"
I wonder why no plant evolved to use both and make the more even efficient use of light. These plats would appear dark, maybe almost black. They could live between all the green plants from their scraps so to speak.
"However, the porphyrin-based nature of chlorophyll had created an evolutionary trap[citation needed], dictating that chlorophyllic organisms cannot re-adapt to absorb the energy-rich and now-available green light, and therefore ended up reflecting and presenting a greenish color."
Do you think it is just coincidence that chlorophyll is green and sun has peak luminosity in green frequencies? Or did chlorophyll win just because of that?
Considering assembly theory (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_theory) for a possible explanation. The OP does state retinal is simpler, but it's significantly more basic and is organic.
On the other hand: Chlorophyll(s) all have a single magnesium caught at the center of a chlorin 'net'. It seems significantly harder to manufacture!
We really don't give enough credit to the people that maintain Wikipedia and do the work required to make these articles. Its a shame that a lot of political / social influence has started to creep into some of the articles but on the whole its really an incredible benefit to humanity.
10 comments
[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 27.9 ms ] threadI wonder why no plant evolved to use both and make the more even efficient use of light. These plats would appear dark, maybe almost black. They could live between all the green plants from their scraps so to speak.
"However, the porphyrin-based nature of chlorophyll had created an evolutionary trap[citation needed], dictating that chlorophyllic organisms cannot re-adapt to absorb the energy-rich and now-available green light, and therefore ended up reflecting and presenting a greenish color."
Yes, but why?
That's really neat!
Near me there is a plum tree with purple leaves
Not mentioned in the article...
On the other hand: Chlorophyll(s) all have a single magnesium caught at the center of a chlorin 'net'. It seems significantly harder to manufacture!
When the Earth Was Purple https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IIA-k_bBcL0
(This is great science channel. PBS should have continued to receive federal funding.)