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Oxygenic photosynthesis–a photon driven hydrogen generator–the energetic/entropic basis of life

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

Photosynthesis, as a fundamental element in the life process, is integrated in the evolution of living systems on the basis of hydrogen cycles on various hierarchic levels. Conversion of radiant energy enables the oxidation of water, whereby free oxygen accumulates in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is (reversibly) stored in organic materials formed under reductive CO2-fixation and by the incorporation of the other elements, which are necessary for living systems. All endergonic processes in living cells are finally driven by the energy released through the clean recombination of protons and electrons with oxygen to water. Duration of the stored energy and the complexity of the systems thus produced is correlated negatively with the conversion efficiency of the radiation energy. Entropy is a unifying principle in the evolution of living systems, inclusive human societies.

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  1. Institute of Biology, Deptartment of Plant Physiology, Humboldt University, Unter den Linden 6, D-10099, Berlin, Germany

    P. Hoffmann

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Hoffmann, P. Oxygenic photosynthesis–a photon driven hydrogen generator–the energetic/entropic basis of life. Photosynthetica 35, 1–11 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006872110196

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