Photoprocesses, Photoreceptors, and Evolution

Photoprocesses, Photoreceptors, and Evolution discusses the important role that visible radiation has played in the development of photoreceptor systems, hence, in the evolution of life on earth. The book examines the spectrum of energies that impinge on the Earth, what kinds of molecules absorb these energies, and how they are structured within the cell to function as a photoreceptor system. The text describes the molecular structure of the cell membrane; the various kinds of pigment molecules; and the structures associated with photobiological phenomena. The relationship between the photoreceptor system and behavior, i.e. phototropism and phototaxis, photosynthesis, and vision, is also considered. The book further tackles the photoprocesses which function in photoperiodic phenomena - the “biological clocks”, aging, memory, and bioluminescence. The text then demonstrates the structure of the invertebrate and vertebrate photoreceptors; and the intervebrate and vertebrate visual pigments and their photochemistry. Photobiologists will find the book invaluable.

Preface Acknowledgments I Introduction II The Environment The Earth and Geological Record The Changing Atmosphere and Temperature The Ocean Molecules in the Environment Electromagnetic Energy and Photobiology The Physical Nature of Light The Absorption and Emission of Light III Photosensitivity and Pigments Pyrroles and Porphyrins Chlorophyll Heme Cytochromes The Carotenoids Phycobiliproteins Ferredoxins Flavins Melanins Solar Spectrum and Pigment Absorption Spectra Action Spectra IV The Emergence of the Cell and Its Organelles A Model Cell: Euglena CO2 Fixation Cell Structure V Photosynthesis The Photosynthetic Process Two Photosystems in Photosynthesis Comparative Biochemistry of Photosynthesis Enzymes The Chloroplast The Chloroplast Structure Chloroplastin VI Phototropism A Model Cell: Phycomyces The Photoreceptor Molecule Pigment Extraction Location of the Photoreceptor The Photoreceptor Electrophysiology VII Phototaxis The Photoreceptor System of Euglena Photokinesis and the Photoreceptor Molecule Phototaxis and the Photoreceptor Molecule The Eyespot Pigment and the Photoreceptor Molecule The Photoreceptor System and Excitation The Flagellum and Excitation VIII Invertebrate Eyes Arthropods Molluscs Related Remarks IX Protochordates Ciona intestinalis The Photoreceptor Pigment Cells Remarks Regarding the Ocelli X The Vertebrate Eye and the Retina The Eye The Retina The Retinal Rods and Cones The Elasmobranch Retina The Amphibian Retinal Rod XI The Vertebrate Visual Pigments Vitamin A and the Visual Pigment Visual Pigments The Photochemistry of Rhodopsin The Cone P