Photosynthesis mechanistic model

To begin our discussion of a mechanistic model for photosynthesis, let us return to Eq. (12.1b) for the overall process of photosynthesis in green plants ... 

Finally, cell-quota theory treats the entire cellular content of a nutrient as being the pool controlling growth rate (under limiting conditions), and deals with multiple nutrient interactions empirically. At the third level of description, MECHANISTIC models aim to embody realistic accounts of the main biochemical processes and pools within cells. A recent example (Flynn Hipkin, 1999 Flynn, 2001) deals with nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon and iron as well as the carbon content of cells, photosynthesis, and the uptake competition between ammonium and nitrate. However, the model embodies many parameters and there is currently insufficient information to use it to distinguish between groups or species of phytoplankters. Its characteristic nutrient quota parameters are included in Table 9.3 except for those for silicon, which are cell-based. 

Garcia-Camacho F, Sanchez-Miron A, Molina-Grima E, et al A mechanistic model of photosynthesis in microalgae including photoacchmation dynamics, J Theor Biol 304 1—15, 2012. 

With respect to mechanistic consequences of the H /ATP ratio of four we refer to a recent coupling model described in [11]. With respect to the overall process of photosynthesis we have to accept that on the basis of the H /ATP ratio of four, taken together with the probable H/e ratio of 2.5 (see [1]), linear electron transport alone does not produce enough ATP to drive CO2 reduction. 

PCET can also play an important role in interfadal charge transfer processes. Electrochemical PCET have recently been explored, both theoretically and experimentally. Hammes-Schiffer et al. have applied their theoretical framework to model systems where the proton transfer occurs within solvated hydrogen-bonded solute complexes while the electron is transferred between that solute complex and an immersed electrode Costentin et al. have investigated the mechanistic details of PCET in the oxidation of phenols, as model systems of central processes in oxygenic photosynthesis. The same groups have explored the experimental and theoretical aspects of PCET in model systems with proton relay networks. ... 

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