In the Haloarchaea, the Red Pigment Bacterioruberin Protects Cells from Damage

Question

In the haloarchaea, the red pigment bacterioruberin protects cells from damage by
A) light.
B) salt.
C) heat.
D) acid.
E) cold.

Accepted Answer

Bacterioruberin is a carotenoid pigment that functions as a photoprotectant against damage by light, particularly in the violet-blue range of the spectrum. It helps to dissipate excess energy and prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative stress and damage to cellular components. While haloarchaea do live in high salt environments, bacterioruberin is primarily involved in protecting against damage from light.