Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
05:33
Light-Induced In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy for Observation of the Liquid-Soft Matter Interaction
Published on: July 26, 2022
Electron emission from photo-excited testosterone in water-ethanol solution
Nikola Getoff1, Heike Schittl, Johannes Hartmann
1The University of Vienna, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Section Radiation Biology, A-1090 Vienna, Althanstr. 14, UZAII, Austria. nikola.getoff@univie.ac.at
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology
|January 7, 2009
Summary
Testosterone ejects electrons from its excited state in solution, a property also seen in other hormones like 17beta-estradiol. This electron ejection capability and its implications for metabolites are discussed.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Steroid hormones like testosterone (TES), 17beta-estradiol (17betaE2), and progesterone (PRG) play crucial physiological roles.
- The photophysical properties of these hormones in solution are not fully understood.
- Recent studies suggest some hormones can interact with light to release electrons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electron ejection capability of testosterone (TES) from its singlet excited state.
- To explore the influence of TES concentration and UV irradiation on solvated electron (e(s)(-)) yield.
- To discuss the implications of hormone-induced electron ejection and metabolite formation.
Main Methods:
- UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to study electron ejection.
- Experiments were conducted in a water-ethanol solvent mixture.
- Varying concentrations of TES and UV irradiation doses were applied.
Main Results:
- Testosterone (TES) was observed to eject electrons from its singlet excited state in a water-ethanol mixture.
- Increasing TES concentration decreased the yield of solvated electrons (e(s)(-)) due to associate formation.
- Higher UV doses led to a maximum e(s)(-) yield via TES-ethanol adducts, which also emitted electrons.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone, similar to 17beta-estradiol and progesterone, can eject electrons upon photoexcitation.
- The formation of TES-ethanol adducts and their photolytic products contributes to electron emission.
- The electron-ejecting capability of these hormones and their potentially carcinogenic metabolites warrants further investigation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:26Photoelectric Effect
When light of a particular wavelength strikes a metal surface, electrons are emitted. This is called the photoelectric effect. The minimum frequency of light that can cause such emission of electrons is called the threshold frequency, which is specific to the metal. Light with a frequency lower than the threshold frequency, even if it is of high intensity, cannot initiate the emission of electrons. However, when the frequency is higher than the threshold value, the number of electrons ejected...
00:54Electron Behavior
Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that are attracted to an orbit around the positively-charged nucleus of an atom. They reside in locations that are associated with energy levels called shells and are further organized into sub-shells and orbitals within each shell.Electrons Orbit the NucleusElectrons are found in specific locations outside of the nucleus. The shell in which an electron resides indicates the general energy level of the electron: those closer to the nucleus...
01:26Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
02:39Emission Spectra
When solids, liquids, or condensed gases are heated sufficiently, they radiate some of the excess energy as light. Photons produced in this manner have a range of energies, and thereby produce a continuous spectrum in which an unbroken series of wavelengths is present.
01:16UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.