Chapter 37, Problem 17TYK

Summary Introduction

To review:

The major groups of organisms that have cryptochrome based on the fact that it is found in both animals and plants derived from their common ancestor.

Introduction:

A class of flavoproteins that is sensitive toward blue light is cryptochromes. Flavoproteins are proteins having riboflavin derivative of nucleic acid. These cryptochromes are involved in circadian rhythm. There are two genes responsible for coding the cryptochrome protein, Cry1 and Cry2. In plants, this protein is responsible for mediating phototropism and photomorphogenesis. In animals, it is involved in capturing light and other circadian rhythms.