Phytochromes are widely distributed in plants, algae and also in certain fungi and bacteria. Phytochromes are dimeric chromopeptides (monomer sizes of 120–130 kDa) with a covalently linked open-tetrapyrrole chromophore called phytochromobilin. They display two spectrally distinct forms, the red light (660 nm) absorbing Pr and the far-red light (730 nm) absorbing Pfr. The functional activities of the phytochromes are modulated by the photochromic transformation between these two forms. The activated Pfr form elicits the light-signaling cascade through interactions with upstream and downstream signaling components, eventually regulating the gene expressions involved in photomorphogenesis.