Functional evolution of photochemical energy transformations in oxygen-producing organisms

John A. Raven

doi:10.1071/FP09087

EVOLUTIONARY REVIEW

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Functional evolution of photochemical energy transformations in oxygen-producing organisms

John A. Raven

+ Author Affiliations

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^A Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK. Email: j.a.raven@dundee.ac.uk

This paper is part of an ongoing series: ‘The Evolution of Plant Functions’.

Functional Plant Biology 36(6) 505-515 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP09087
Submitted: 6 April 2009 Accepted: 21 April 2009 Published: 1 June 2009

Abstract

Chlorophyll a is the photochemical agent accounting for most oxygenic photosynthesis, that is, over 99.9% of photosynthetic primary activity on Earth. The spectral and energetic properties of chlorophyll a can, at least in part, be rationalised in terms of the solar spectral output and the energetics of oxygen production and carbon dioxide reduction with two photochemical reactions. The long wavelength limit on in vivo chlorophyll a absorption is probably close to the energetic limit: longer wavelengths could not support a high rate and efficiency of oxygenic photosynthesis. Retinal, a β-carotene derivative that is the chromophore of rhodopsin, acts not only as a sensory pigment, but also as an ion-pumping photochemical transducer. Both sensory and energy-transforming rhodopsins occur in oxygenic phototrophs, although the extent of expression and the function of the latter are not well understood.

Additional keywords: chlorophyll a, photosynthesis, retinal.

Acknowledgements

Discussions with John Beardall, Charles Cockell, Paul Falkowski, Kevin Flynn, Richard Geider, Mario Giordano and Tony Larkum were very helpful. This paper was significantly improved by comments on an earlier version from Tony Larkum and from two anonymous reviewers. The University of Dundee is a registered Scottish charity (No: SC015096).

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