250505-Kawai-Communication-Micrograph (IMAGE)

Kobe University

250505-Kawai-Communication-Micrograph

Caption

A structural color is produced not a result of a pigment but by the interaction of light with a physical structure. In the growth tips of the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis, these microspheres are all of the same size, which allows light of a single, blue color to be reflected (pictured). As the gland cells mature, the microspheres stop being uniform size, which causes light of all colors to be reflected and results in a whitish hue.

Credit

H. Kawai and T. Motomura, European Journal of Phycology 2025 (DOI 10.1080/09670262.2025.2483980) (CC BY)

Usage Restrictions

Credit must be given to the creator.

License

CC BY

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