Derivation of an electron-transport rate equation, energy-conservation equations and a luminescence-flux equation of algal and plant photosynthesis

Abstract

On the assumption that the photosynthetic electron-transport rate is sometimes limited on the water-splitting side of Q (the oxidized primary electron acceptor), and that Q reduction, as well as primary charge recombination, is not kinetically a monomolecular process, a rate equation, a luminescence-flux equation and several versions of energy-conservation equations are derived. The energy-conservation equations explain most, if not all, observed relationships between rate and fluorescence. In particular, by assuming that the limiting site on the water-splitting side of Q is uncoupler-sensitive, these equations explain the uncoupler-induced simultaneous stimulations of rate and fluorescence as well as inhibition of luminescence without additional assumption ad hoc for each individual phenomenon. A newly introduced parameter central to the derivation of these equations is the specific affinity between two electron carriers.