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The Science of Photobiology pp 329–369Cite as

Photosynthesis

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Abstract

Photosynthesis, the conversion of light energy into stabilized chemical energy, involves the absorption of light by a pigment, energy transfer, energy trapping or stabilization by reaction centers, and the initiation of chemical reactions from donor to acceptor molecules. The process continues with a sequence of oxidation-reduction reactions that comprise the electron transport that leads to the formation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Reactions leading to the fixation of carbon are powered by the energy available in the molecules of NADPH and ATP. Photosynthesis can be studied from many points of view, including those of the physicist, physical chemist, biochemist, biologist, ecologist, and agronomist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, California, USA

    David C. Fork

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  1. David C. Fork
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  1. Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Kendric C. Smith

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© 1977 Plenum Press, New York

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Fork, D.C. (1977). Photosynthesis. In: Smith, K.C. (eds) The Science of Photobiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1713-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1713-5_13

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