Final answer:
In autotrophic bacteria, chlorophyll-like pigments are found in the cell membrane or in internal membrane structures that function similarly to thylakoids. This allows phototrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria to absorb light for photosynthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In autotrophic bacteria, chlorophyll-like pigments are located in various structures depending on the type of bacteria. In phototrophic bacteria, such as purple and green bacteria, pigments like bacteriochlorophylls and carotenoids are located within the cell membrane and in internal membrane structures akin to thylakoids. Conversely, in cyanobacteria, chlorophyll a is primarily located in thylakoids and phycobilisomes, which are specialized structures that aid in photosynthesis. These structures facilitate the absorption of light of various wavelengths, which is critical for their ability to perform photosynthesis similarly to the chloroplasts of eukaryotic plants and algae despite not having actual chloroplasts.