PRIMARY REACTIONS OF OXYGENIC PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Functional and structural aspects of the mechanism of oxygenic photosy nthesis are described and documented by examples: (1) Coupling of two Photosystems I and II for the electron transfer from water to NADP(+). (2) Vectorial electron transfer and transmembrane charge separation a s the primary act of light energy conversion. (3) Functioning of the r eaction centers I and II in the photosystems and the role of the pool of plastoquinones. (4) Proton translocation and use of the proton pote ntial for ATP formation. (5) Approaches to the mechanism of water oxid ation. (6) Organization of the proteins and their cofactors as well as the molecular structure of Photosystem I. (7) Light energy migration in the antenna system.