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Dissipation in bioenergetic electron transfer chains

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Abstract

This paper examines the processes by which wasteful dissipation of free energy may occur in bioenergetic electron transfer chains. Frictionless transfer requires high rate constants in order to achieve a quasi-equilibrium steady-state. Previous results concerning the maximum power available from a photochemical source are recalled. The energetic performance of the bacterial reaction center is discussed, characterizing the processes that decrease either the quantum yield (recombination and obstruction) or the chemical potential (friction and non-equilibrated mechanisms). Considering the whole chain, diffusive carriers are potentially weaker links, due to kinetic limitation and short-circuiting reactions. It is suggested that the evolutionary trend has been to limit their number by lumping them into tightly bound protein complexes or, in a more flexible way, into labile supercomplexes.

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Abbreviations

Cyt:

cytochrome

F :

Faraday

H:

primary acceptor in the bacterial reaction center (bacteriopheophytin)

k B :

Boltzmann's constant

P:

primary photochemical donor (special bacteriochlorophyll pair)

RC:

reaction center

QA, QB :

primary, secondary quinone acceptor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005, Paris, France

    Jérôme Lavergne & Pierre Joliot

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  1. Jérôme Lavergne
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  2. Pierre Joliot
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Lavergne, J., Joliot, P. Dissipation in bioenergetic electron transfer chains. Photosynth Res 48, 127–138 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041003

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