What is a photosystem?

1 Answer
Dec 26, 2017

A photosystem is a complex in which photosynthetic pigments are arranged in the form of clusters for the efficient absorption and utilization of sunlight energy in thylakoid membranes.

Explanation:

Photosystem constitutes two main parts. A brief concept to them is as follows:

  • Antenna Complex:
    It is a light- harvesting complex containing proteins and many molecules of "cholorophyll a", "cholorophyll b" and "carotenoids". Photons of light are first absorbed by antenna complex pigments which then transfer the energy to the reaction center.
  • Reaction Center:
    It has one or more molecules of "cholorophyll a" along with primary electron acceptor and associated electron carriers of electron transport system.
    It receives the absorbed sunlight energy from the antenna complex and convert that energy into "chemical energy".

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Note:

In plants and photosynthetic green algae to photosystem are present in thylakoid membranes of choloroplast.

In photosynthetic bacteria to photosystem are present in plasma membranes.

Hope it helps...