Photoreceptors in plants are proteins that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light. These proteins help plants detect and respond to light cues in their environment. They play a crucial role in various processes such as phototropism (movement towards or away from light), photoperiodism (regulation of flowering and other plant developmental processes based on day length), and chloroplast movement. The two main types of photoreceptors in plants are called phytochromes and phototropins. Phytochromes primarily sense red and far-red light, while phototropins detect blue light. These photoreceptors are found in plant cells, particularly in specialized structures called plastids. When these photoreceptors absorb specific wavelengths of light, they undergo structural changes and trigger various molecular signaling pathways in the plant, ultimately leading to specific physiological responses.
