Light perception in higher plants

Photosynthetic plants depend on sunlight as their energy source. Thus, they need to detect the intensity, quality and direction of this critical envir onmental factor and to respond properly by optimizing their growth and deve lopment. Perception of light is accomplished by several photoreceptors incl uding phytochromes, blue/ultraviolet (UV)-A and UV-B light photoreceptors. In recent years, genetic, molecular genetic and cell biological approaches have significantly increased our knowledge about the structure and function of the photoreceptors. and allowed the identification of several light sig nal transduction components. Furthermore, this research led to fruitful int eraction between different disciplines, such as molecular biology and ecolo gy. It is safe to assume that we can expect more milestones in this researc h field in the upcoming years.