Chapter 2 - Transport of electrons

Abstract

In this chapter, we introduce the basic principles of oxygenic photosynthesis, including light capture in the antenna, charge separation events, and electron transfer pathways in the reaction centres of photosystems I and II. The cytochrome b6f complex is also briefly described. Recent structures of the main complexes are presented. We focus mainly on linear photosynthetic electron transfer from water to NADP+ and the generation of the proton motive force across the thylakoid membrane, which is required for the synthesis of ATP by the ATP-synthase. Furthermore, cyclic electron flow around photosystem I is introduced. When necessary, differences in the composition of the reaction centres of higher plants and cyanobacteria are pointed out.