4 - Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of the Primary Electron Transfer in Reaction Centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas viridis

Abstract

This chapter reviews the time-resolved spectroscopy of the primary electron transfer in reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas viridis and provides an overview of the theoretical background and shows the extent to which time-resolved absorption data may be used to reveal the relevant molecular processes. The chapter presents results of certain spectroscopic experiments performed directly on the timescale of the primary reaction, which is on the order of 10–12 sec. From the experimental results on native reaction centers at different temperatures, the possible reaction schemes and the molecular processes involved in primary electron transfer are discussed. The high-frequency absorption bands of the RC are most helpful for the investigation and assignment of the different states reached during the electron transfer process.