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phycocyanin
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phycocyanin

pigment
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Quick Summary

Phycocyanin is a bluish-green protein pigment found in cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). These organisms are prokaryotic and photosynthetic, meaning they use light to create energy. While they contain chlorophyll a (a green pigment), they also have other pigments like carotenoids and phycobilins, which contribute to their characteristic blue-green color. Phycocyanin is a type of phycobilin. Algal cells, which are eukaryotic, also contain pigments like chlorophylls and carotenoids within their chloroplasts.1234

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. phycocyanin
  2. algae - The algal cell
  3. blue-green algae
  4. porphyrin

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