Photosynthesis

Abstract

The light-induced electron transfer and associated phosphorylation reactions of plants have been explained in terms of 2 coupled photoreactions driven by different pigment systems. A general scheme is presented, which is only an attempt to formulate a scheme consistent with available data. Future research will produce (a) a detailed explanation of the primary photochemical event, describing the initial reaction(s) of excited chlorophyll; (b) knowledge of both the site (or sites) of ATP formation and the mechanism of energy conversion; (c) an elucidation of the composition and reactions associated with the intermediate electron transfer complex; and (d) some insight into the oxygen evolution system, an area which is largely untouched. As data become available the presently accepted scheme for the electron transfer reactions of plant photosynthesis will certainly be amplified or modified, but it will probably not change in its more general characteristics. There is a bibliography of 250 references.