Reaction centres: the structure and evolution of biological solar power
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Peter Heathcote1, Paul K Fyfe, Michael R Jones
1School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, UK E1 4NS.
Abstract:
Reaction centres are complexes of pigment and protein that convert the electromagnetic energy of sunlight into chemical potential energy. They are found in plants, algae and a variety of bacterial species, and vary greatly in their composition and complexity. New structural information has highlighted features that are common to the different types of reaction centre and has provided insights into some of the key differences between reaction centres from different sources. New ideas have also emerged on how contemporary reaction centres might have evolved and on the possible origin of the first chlorophyll-protein complexes to harness the power of sunlight.
Related Concept Videos
The Photochemical Reaction Center
The Antenna Complex
The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis
Photosystems
Functioning of Photosystems
Photosystems contain many pigment molecules, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, arranged in a particular organization across two domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...
Photosystem II
The pigment molecules are arranged across two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...
The Anatomy of Chloroplasts
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...
