On the evolution of the photosynthetic pigments

During the course of terrestrial evolution, some organisms developed the capability of capturing and utilizing solar radiation. Colored compounds were undoubtedly incorporated within living forms from the earliest times, but during the transition from heterotrophic to a photoautotrophic metabolism o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Origins of Life 1975-07, Vol.6 (3), p.435-439
Main Author: Evstigneev, V.B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteriochlorophylls
Biological Evolution
Chlorophyll
Photosynthesis
Pigments, Biological
plant biochemistry
plant physiology
Porphyrins
Space life sciences
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Summary:During the course of terrestrial evolution, some organisms developed the capability of capturing and utilizing solar radiation. Colored compounds were undoubtedly incorporated within living forms from the earliest times, but during the transition from heterotrophic to a photoautotrophic metabolism only those pigments were selected that were components of the evolving photosynthetic apparatus and were able to catalyze reactions involving storage of light energy in chemical bonds. In this communication, some properties of tetrapyrroles with a closed porphyrin ring containing a metal ion in the center are discussed. These compounds are present in all principal contemporary photosynthetic pigments, and their synthesis has been demonstrated from simpler compounds under prebiotic conditions. It is probable that during intermediate stages in the evolution of photosynthesis, pigments with oxidizing potentials lower than that of chlorophyll were utilized to store light energy although they were not capable of removing electrons from water. The evolution and function of multiple forms of a given photosynthetic pigment in vivo are discussed. 'Accessory' pigments may be regarded as rudiments of the evolutionary development of the photosynthetic apparatus.
ISSN:0302-1688
1573-0875
DOI:10.1007/BF01130346