Another piece in the puzzle of photosynthesis

It is widely known that plants perform photosynthesis, so well known that it is studied in primary school. However, the complete mechanism behind this function as fundamental to life as we know it is not yet fully known.

Photosynthesis requires that this mechanism produces large amounts of chemical energy without losing the oxidative capacity needed to break water molecules. Now, a team of researchers headed by Masashi Hasegawa, from the University of Kobe (Japan), has made clear part of that mechanism, which is another step, not only for understanding the photosynthesis of green plants, but also in the development of artificial photosynthesis. Artificial photosynthesis would not only remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it would also produce chemical energy at low cost, something that can be critical in combating climate change.

Structure of the photosystem II. Source: Wikimedia

During the water break phase of photosynthesis plants produce oxygen by converting solar energy into chemical energy, which gives the plant the energy it needs for its survival. This chemical reaction takes place in a protein complex found in chloroplasts, organelles present in the leaves, which is called photosystem II and which is rich in chlorophyll b.

Luminous stage of photosynthesis, which occurs in the thylakoid membranes. Source: Wikimedia

In 2015, this same group of researchers was able to analyze the electronic interactions and the 3-dimensional localization of the electric charge separation that occurs just after the photo-reaction in the photosynthetic reaction center of a purple bacterium, but which does not produce the Oxidation potential needed to break a water molecule (photolysis of water). However, in photosystem II of the upper floors, the configuration of the initial charge separation is something that was not clear at all. In fact, it was a mystery how it could produce the effective breakdown of the water molecule while retaining a high oxidative capacity.

The methodology developed by the researchers has allowed them to carry out for the first time a 3D visual analysis of the configuration of the electric charge produced just after exposure to light. The precision obtained was less than ten millionth of a second between one image and the next.

Based on these images, researchers have been able to quantify the electronic interaction that takes place when the electronic orbitals of different photosystem molecules occupy the same space and, therefore, how easy the neutralization of charges can be. The overlap of orbitals has been found to be very limited by the insulating effect of the terminal vinyl groups. This makes possible that the great oxidative capacity of the positive charge of chlorophyll is maintained and can be used in the decomposition of water.

In this way we have a mechanism that is able to efficiently produce chemical energy without losing the oxidative capacity. The verification of this mechanism and the use of the developed methodology would facilitate access in a few years to truly clean and efficient energy sources that could be used for transport and industry, something, as we have said, critical to combat climate change.