What are phytochrome-like proteins in non-plant species?

Phytochrome-like proteins are like tiny sensors that help non-plant species know when it's time to wake up or go to sleep.

Imagine you have a favorite blanket that tells you when to get out of bed, if the room gets bright, you know it’s morning. Phytochrome-like proteins work kind of like that blanket in animals and other living things that aren’t plants.

These proteins can sense light, especially red and far-red light. When they catch a certain kind of light, they change shape, just like how your favorite blanket might get all bumpy when you toss it around. This change tells the organism something important: “It’s time to grow,” or “It’s time to rest.”

Even though they’re not plants, some animals and fungi use these sensors too. For example, certain mushrooms only sprout when they receive just the right kind of light, it's like they have their own tiny version of a phytochrome-like protein.

So even if you're not a plant, you might still be using something similar to those little light-sensing proteins every day!