Carotenoids in Photosynthesis

by A. Young (Editor), G. Britton (Editor)

Overview

Significant developments in recent years have led to a deeper understanding of the role and function of carotenoids in photosynthesis. For the first time the biological, biochemical, and chemical aspects of the role of these pigments in photosynthesis are brought together in one comprehensive reference volume. Chapters focus on the phohemistry of carotenoids in light harvesting and photoprotection, the nature and distribution of carotenoids in photosynthetic organisms, their biosynthesis, the herbicidal inhibition of carotenogenesis and the ‘xanthophyll cycle'. Throughout details are given of the various methodologies used. A detailed appendix provides physical data for the major compounds. Carotenoids in Photosynthesis is an invaluable reference source for all plant scientists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780412562501
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/01/1993
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1 Structure and nomenclature.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Structures of carotenoids.- 1.3 Nomenclature.- References.- 2 Occurrence and distribution of carotenoids inphotosynthetic systems.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Higher plants.- 2.3 Algae and cyanobacteria.- 2.4 The phototrophic bacteria.- References.- 3 Carotenoids in pigment-protein complexes.- 3.1 Higher plants.- 3.2 Algae.- 3.3 Phototrophic bacteria.- References.- 4 Biosynthesis of carotenoids.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Reactions of carotenoid biosynthesis.- 4.3 Enzymes of carotenoid biosynthesis.- 4.4 Genetics of carotenoid biosynthesis.- 4.5 Regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis.- 4.6 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Experimental approaches to studies of inhibitors.- 5.3 Target sites.- 5.4 Resistance to inhibitors.- 5.5 Conclusions and future prospects.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 6 Factors that affect the carotenoid composition ofhigher plants and algae.- 6.1 Carotenoids in higher plants.- 6.2 Photobleaching process.- 6.3 Carotenoids in algae and cyanobacteria.- References.- 7 The xanthophyll cycle.- 7.1 Light-dependent interconversions ofxanthophylls within the photosynthetic membrane.- 7.2 Function of the xanthophyll cycle.- 7.3 Ecophysiology of the xanthophyll cycle.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 8 Phohemistry and function of carotenoids inphotosynthesis.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Energy levels.- 8.3 Determination of carotenoid structures.- 8.4 The dynamics of carotenoid excited states andthe efficiency of energy transfer.- 8.5 Miscellaneous properties of carotenoids.- 8.6 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 9 Spectroscopic studies of carotenoids in photosyntheticsystems.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Electronic spectroscopy.- 9.3 Raman spectroscopy.- 9.4 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 10 Methods for isolation and analysis of carotenoids.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Experimental methods.- 10.3 Extraction.- 10.4 Separation and purification.- 10.5 UV/Visible light absorption spectroscopy.- 10.6 Quantitative determination of carotenoids.- 10.7 Other spectroscopic and physical methods.- References.- Appendix- Physical data.