Bacteriochlorophylls

The chlorophylls of bacteria – bacteriochlorophylls – differ both chemically and in absortption spectra from those of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts.

Chemical differences involve the phytol side chain, groups attached to the porhyrin ring, and the saturation of one pyrrole subunit of the porphyrin ring. At right - bacteriochlorophyll a with superimposed (color) location of variable R groups. Image of bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex, Prosthecochloris Aestuarii.

Table ~ structure of bacteriochlorophylls : molecular diagrams chlorophyll proteins :

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