Photosynthesis

Since the events crucial to plant photosynthesis are now known in molecular detail, this process is no longer nature's secret, but can for the first time be mimicked by technology. Broad in its scope, this book spans the basics of biological photosynthesis right up to the current approaches for its technical exploitation, making it the most complete resource on artificial photosynthesis ever published. The contents draw on the expertise of the Australian Artificial Photosynthesis Network, currently the world's largest coordinated research effort to develop effective photosynthesis technology. This is further backed by expert contributions from around the globe, providing an authoritative overview of current research worldwide.

The classic and authoritative textbook, Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis,is now fully revised and updated in this much-anticipated second edition. Whilst retaining the first edition’s clear writing style and accessible description of this complex process, updates now include cutting-edge applications of photosynthesis, such as to bioenergy and artificial photosynthesis as well as new analytical techniques. Written by a leading authority in photosynthesis research, this new edition is presented in full color with clear, student-friendly illustrations. An interdisciplinary approach to photosynthesis is taken, with coverage including the basic principles of energy storage, the history and early development of photosynthesis, electron transfer pathways, genetics and evolution. A comprehensive appendix, containing an introduction to the basic chemical and physical principles involved in photosynthesis, is also included. Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis,second edition, is an indispensable text for all students of plant biology, bioenergy, and molecular biology, in addition to researchers in these and related fields looking for an accessible introduction to this vital and integral process to life on earth. stresses an interdisciplinary approach emphasizes recent advances in molecular structures and mechanisms includes the latest insights and research on structural information, improved techniques as well as advances in biochemical and genetic methods comprehensive appendix, which includes a detailed introduction to the physical basis of photosynthesis, including thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy associated website with downloadable figures as powerpoint slides for teaching

This technical book explores current and future applications of solar power as an unlimited source of energy that earth receives every day. Photosynthetic organisms have learned to utilize this abundant source of energy by converting it into high-energy biochemical compounds. Inspired by the efficient conversion of solar energy into an electron flow, attempts have been made to construct artificial photosynthetic systems capable of establishing a charge separation state for generating electricity or driving chemical reactions. Another important aspect of photosynthesis is the CO2 fixation and the production of high energy compounds. Photosynthesis can produce biomass using solar energy while reducing the CO2 level in air. Biomass can be converted into biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol. Under certain conditions, photosynthetic organisms can also produce hydrogen gas which is one of the cleanest sources of energy.

"Marine photosynthesis provides for at least half of the primary production worldwide…" Photosynthesis in the Marine Environment constitutes a comprehensive explanation of photosynthetic processes as related to the special environment in which marine plants live. The first part of the book introduces the different photosynthesising organisms of the various marine habitats: the phytoplankton (both cyanobacteria and eukaryotes) in open waters, and macroalgae, marine angiosperms and photosymbiont-containing invertebrates in those benthic environments where there is enough light for photosynthesis to support growth, and describes how these organisms evolved. The special properties of seawater for sustaining primary production are then considered, and the two main differences between terrestrial and marine environments in supporting photosynthesis and plant growth are examined, namely irradiance and inorganic carbon. The second part of the book outlines the general mechanisms of photosynthesis, and then points towards the differences in light-capturing and carbon acquisition between terrestrial and marine plants. This is followed by discussing the need for a CO2 concentrating mechanism in most of the latter, and a description of how such mechanisms function in different marine plants. Part three deals with the various ways in which photosynthesis can be measured for marine plants, with an emphasis on novel in situ measurements, including discussions of the extent to which such measurements can serve as a proxy for plant growth and productivity. The final chapters of the book are devoted to ecological aspects of marine plant photosynthesis and growth, including predictions for the future.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

Edited by a team of highly respected researchers combining their expertise in chemistry, physics, and medicine, this book focuses on the use of ruthenium-containing complexes in artificial photosynthesis and medicine. Following a brief introduction to the basic coordination chemistry of ruthenium-containing complexes and their synthesis, as well as their photophysical and photochemical properties, the authors discuss in detail the major concepts of artificial photosynthesis and mechanisms of hydrogen production and water oxidation with ruthenium. The second part of the text covers biological properties and important medical applications of ruthenium-containing complexes as therapeutic agents or in diagnostic imaging. Aimed at stimulating research in this active field, this is an invaluable information source for researchers in academia, health research institutes, and governmental departments working in the field of organometallic chemistry, green and sustainable chemistry as well as medicine/drug discovery, while equally serving as a useful reference also for scientists in industry.

This comprehensive book systematically covers the fundamentals in solar energy conversion to chemicals, either fuels or chemical products. It includes natural photosynthesis with emphasis on artificial processes for solar energy conversion and utilization. The chemical processes of solar energy conversion via homogeneous and/or heterogeneous photocatalysis has been described with the mechanistic insights. It also consists of reaction systems toward a variety of applications, such as water splitting for hydrogen or oxygen evolution, photocatalytic CO2 reduction to fuels, and light driven N2 fixation, etc. This unique book offers the readers a broad view of solar energy utilization based on chemical processes and their perspectives for future sustainability.

Photosynthesis and the complex network within plants is becoming more important than ever, because of the earth’s changing climate. In addition, the concepts can be used in other areas, and the science itself is useful in practical applications in many branches of science, including medicine, biology, biophysics, and chemistry. This original, groundbreaking work by two highly experienced and well-known scientists introduces a new and different approach to thinking about living organisms, what we can learn from them, and how we can use the concepts within their scientific makeup in practice. This book describes the principles of complex signaling networks enabling spatiotemporally-directed macroscopic processes by the coupling of systems leading to a bottom-up information transfer in photosynthetic organisms. Top-down messengers triggered by macroscopic actuators like sunlight, gravity, environment or stress lead to an activation of the gene regulation on the molecular level. Mainly the generation and monitoring, as well the role of reactive oxygen species in photosynthetic organisms as typical messengers in complex networks, are described. A theoretical approach according to the principle of synergetics is presented to model light absorption, electron transfer and membrane dynamics in plants. A special focus will be attended to nonlinear processes that form the basic principle for the accumulation of energy reservoirs and large forces enabling the dynamics of macroscopic devices. This volume is a must-have for any scientist, student, or engineer working with photosynthesis. The concepts herein are not available anywhere else, in any other format, and it is truly a groundbreaking work with sure to be long-lasting effects on the scientific community.

ORGANIC REACTIONS Examines the beneficial roles of nitric oxide in growth and stress tolerance regulation through its involvement in tolerance mechanisms Studies have identified the central role of nitric oxide in stress mitigation through the modulation of physiological and biochemical pathways including germination, photosynthesis regulation, and programmed cell death. Nitric Oxide in Plants: A Molecule with Dual Roles provides a detailed account of the physio-biochemical, molecular, and omic basis of NO-mediated responses in crop plants under different stresses. Summarizing recent work from leading researchers in the field, this up-to-date volume presents the current understanding of the modulation of the endogenous nitric oxide concentration following exogenous treatments and nitric oxide scavengers or inhibitors. The contributors discuss topics such as NO-mediated regulation of growth, photosynthesis, and tolerance mechanisms, the reductive and oxidative pathways of NO synthesis, molecular interventions for enhancing NO synthesis, the role of nitrogen in production of NO, beneficial microbes in NO production under normal and changing environmental conditions, and more. Includes an overview of the biosynthesis and regulation of NO synthesis in plants Describes the enzymatic and non-enzymatic biosynthesis of NO and the influence of different stress factors on NO synthesis Explores the role of reactive oxygen, sulphur, and nitrogen species in stress signaling Discusses endogenous and exogenous NO in modifying the ascorbate-glutathione cycle Explains the crosstalk mechanisms underlying NO and phytohormones, including auxins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene Nitric Oxide in Plants: A Molecule with Dual Roles is an essential resource for academics, students, and industry professionals studying the role of nitric oxide in environmental stress tolerance and its interaction with key signaling molecules.