Photon Capture, Exciton Migration and Trapping and Fluorescence Emission in Cyanobacteria and Red Algae

Photosynthetic antenna systems of cyanobacteria and red algae are described at three levels: (1) pigments, pigment-protein complexes, and structures of those complexes, (2) processes of excitation energy transfer and the transfer mechanisms, and (3) diversity of photosynthetic antenna systems. A discussion of the above points has made full use of the availability of the crystal structures of Photosystem I, Photosystem II, and phycobili-proteins. Several unresolved questions are raised here that concern the pigment systems and energy transfer processes. We have also attempted to make new interpretations. Diversity of the antenna system is discussed from the viewpoint of a search for a general principle for the construction of the antenna system.