plantyhamchuk:

FTA: “Although it is known that each cryptophyte has only one type of phycobiliprotein, unique to each species of algae, Richardson and her graduate student Kristin Heidenreich’s recent work suggests that the absorption spectrum of these pigments can shift based on the environment in which the algae grows. “That just blew me away,” Richardson says.

It’s still unclear how the cryptophyte algae accomplish this feat. Richardson suggests that the phycobiliprotein changes shape such that it absorbs different wavelengths. Alternatively, the cryptophytes could be changing the chromophores—the light absorbing chains on the phycobiliprotein complex—so that they are able to absorb whatever color of light that is available to them.

When eukaryotic cells first absorbed the cyanobacteria that became chloroplast—a light-absorbing organelle—photosynthesis became a powerful driver of life on Earth. But the evolution of photosynthesis may not be done yet, as secondary mergers, such as the one that produced cryptophytes, have further expanded the available pigments to capture unused portions of the light spectrum. If plants can continue to harness more and more energy from light, there is no telling how it could affect the future of the planet.“