phycoerythrin
/ˌfaɪkoʊɪˈrɪθrɪn/
noun
- A red pigment found in red algae and some cyanobacteria that helps capture light for photosynthesis.
- Phycoerythrin gives red algae their characteristic reddish color.
- The deep-water red algae rely on phycoerythrin to absorb blue light that penetrates the ocean.
- Scientists use phycoerythrin as a fluorescent marker in laboratory research.