Biological pigment

Have you ever noticed the different colors of flowers or the pretty patterns on butterflies? Well, those colors and patterns are made possible with the help of something called biological pigments.

Think of biological pigments like colors in a coloring box. Just like how you can choose different colors to make a picture unique, biological pigments are natural colors that can be found in living things like plants, animals, and even people.

These pigments are made up of molecules that absorb certain colors of light and reflect others, which gives them their distinctive hues. Some pigments, like chlorophyll found in many plants, absorb blue and red light and reflect green light, which is why plants look green. Other pigments, like melanin found in our skin, absorb all colors of light and give our skin its natural color.

Biological pigments not only give living things their colors and patterns, but they also play important roles in keeping them healthy. For example, some pigments found in plants help protect them from damaging UV radiation from the sun, while others help attract pollinators like bees to help with plant reproduction.

So, the next time you see a bright and colorful flower or a beautiful butterfly, remember that it's all thanks to the wonders of biological pigments!