Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
10:46
Evaluation of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Photorespiratory Mutants by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Analysis
Published on: December 9, 2022
Engineering photorespiration: current state and future possibilities
C Peterhansel1, K Krause, H-P Braun
1Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Hannover, Germany. cp@botanik.uni-hannover.de
Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany)
|November 6, 2012
Summary
Reducing photorespiration, an energy-intensive process in plants, can boost crop yield. This review covers current strategies for limiting photorespiratory losses and suggests future research directions for improving crop carbon fixation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Crop Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Photorespiration is an energy-consuming process in plants.
- Reducing photorespiration is a key strategy for enhancing crop productivity.
- Previous studies in model plants showed increased biomass by bypassing photorespiratory reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of current strategies aimed at reducing photorespiratory losses in crop species.
- To identify future research priorities for optimizing crop carbon fixation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on photorespiration reduction in crops.
- Analysis of existing strategies and their effectiveness.
- Synthesis of findings to propose future research directions.
Main Results:
- Several approaches are being explored to reduce photorespiratory flux in crops.
- Bypassing photorespiration has shown promise in increasing biomass in model systems.
- The review consolidates current efforts and highlights knowledge gaps.
Conclusions:
- Targeting photorespiration remains a significant avenue for improving crop yields.
- Further research is needed to translate findings from model species to major crop plants.
- Prioritizing specific research areas will accelerate progress in enhancing carbon fixation.
Related Concept Videos
01:34The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis
The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...
01:26Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.
01:26Oxygenic Photosynthesis
Oxygenic photosynthesis is a fundamental process in which light energy is harnessed to drive the oxidation of water, leading to the production of molecular oxygen (O₂), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This process is essential for sustaining aerobic life on Earth and is primarily carried out by cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The core of oxygenic photosynthesis lies in the thylakoid membranes, where chlorophyll pigments facilitate light...
01:22Photosystem II
The multi-protein complex photosystem II (PS II) harvests photons and transfers their energy through its bound pigments to its reaction center, and ultimately to photosystem I (PSI) through the electron transport chain. The pigments responsible for caputirng the light energy in photosystems include chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids.
The pigment molecules are arranged across two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...
The pigment molecules are arranged across two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...
01:27Photosystem I
Although structurally similar to photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI) is has a different electron supplier and electron acceptor.
Both these photosystems work in concert. An excited electron from PSII is relayed to PSI via an electron transport chain in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, which is comprised of the carrier molecule plastoquinone, the dual-protein cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin. As electrons move between PSII and PSI, they lose energy and must be re-energized...
Both these photosystems work in concert. An excited electron from PSII is relayed to PSI via an electron transport chain in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, which is comprised of the carrier molecule plastoquinone, the dual-protein cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin. As electrons move between PSII and PSI, they lose energy and must be re-energized...
01:29The Photochemical Reaction Center
Reaction centers are pigment-protein complexes that initiate energy conversion from photons to chemical entities. Therefore, photochemical reaction center is a more appropriate term that describes these complexes. The Nobel laureates Robert Emerson and William Arnold provided the first experimental evidence of photochemical reaction centers by demonstrating the participation of nearly 2,500 chlorophyll molecules for the release of just one molecule of oxygen. Despite thousands of photosynthetic...