Document Detail


Expanding the solar spectrum used by photosynthesis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21493120     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A limiting factor for photosynthetic organisms is their light-harvesting efficiency, that is the efficiency of their conversion of light energy to chemical energy. Small modifications or variations of chlorophylls allow photosynthetic organisms to harvest sunlight at different wavelengths. Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms usually utilize only the visible portion of the solar spectrum. The cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina carries out oxygenic photosynthesis but contains mostly chlorophyll d and only traces of chlorophyll a. Chlorophyll d provides a potential selective advantage because it enables Acaryochloris to use infrared light (700-750nm) that is not absorbed by chlorophyll a. Recently, an even more red-shifted chlorophyll termed chlorophyll f has been reported. Here, we discuss using modified chlorophylls to extend the spectral region of light that drives photosynthetic organisms.
Authors:
Min Chen; Robert E Blankenship
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-4-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Trends in plant science     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1878-4372     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-4-15     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9890299     Medline TA:  Trends Plant Sci     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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