Question

What is unique about the "special pair" of chlorophylls in the reaction center?

a) They are exclusively found in photosystem II.
b) They absorb light most effectively in the green spectrum.
c) They are involved in cyclic photophosphorylation.
d) They donate electrons to the primary electron acceptor.

Answer 1

The special pair of chlorophylls in the reaction center can give up an electron upon excitation, converting light energy into an excited electron. They are found in both photosystem II and photosystem I, and are involved in the photosynthetic electron transport chain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The special pair of chlorophylls in the reaction center have a unique property - they can undergo oxidation upon excitation, meaning they can give up an electron. This step in the reaction center is where light energy is converted into an excited electron. The excited electron is then passed on to the primary electron acceptor.

These special chlorophylls are found in both photosystem II and photosystem I, which are two major components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Photosystem II obtains the electron from the splitting of water, releasing oxygen as a waste product. Photosystem I obtains the electron from the chloroplast electron transport chain.