Photoinhibition

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Photoinhibition (pronounced: /ˌfoʊtoʊɪnˈhɪbɪʃən/) is a phenomenon in photosynthesis where the rate of photosynthesis decreases under high light intensity. It is a natural process that occurs in all photosynthetic organisms, including plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.

Etymology

The term "photoinhibition" is derived from the Greek words "photo-", meaning light, and "inhibition", which refers to the act of restraining or preventing a process.

Process

Photoinhibition occurs when a plant or other photosynthetic organism is exposed to light intensities that exceed its photosynthetic capacity. This can lead to damage in the photosystem II (PSII) complex, a key component of the photosynthetic light reactions. The damage is caused by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can harm the photosynthetic apparatus and decrease the efficiency of photosynthesis.

Related Terms

  • Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
  • Photosystem II: The first protein complex in the light-dependent reactions of oxygenic photosynthesis.
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): Chemically reactive chemical species containing oxygen.

See Also

References

External links

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