phycocyanin

[ fahy-koh-sahy-uh-nin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a blue protein pigment, found in algae, involved in the process of photosynthesis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phycocyanin¹

First recorded in 1870–75; phyco- + cyan- ¹ + -in ²

Example Sentences

Named after the blue-green pigment they use for this process, called phycocyanin, cyanobacteria also make oxygen and are given the credit for creating Earth’s atmosphere about 2.4 billion years ago.

From Washington Post

Named after the blue-green pigment they use for this process, called phycocyanin, cyanobacteria also make oxygen and are given the credit for creating Earth's atmosphere about 2.4bn years ago.

From The Guardian