Photosystem
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In the process of photosynthesis, light is absorbed by a photosystem to begin an energy-producing reaction. The photosytems are contained within the chloroplasts in the leaves of plants. Two types of photosystems exist: photosystem I (P700) and photosystem II (P680). Each photosystem is differentiated by the wavelength of light to which it is most reactive (700 and 680 nanometers, respectively).
Structure
A photosystem is made up of a reaction center pigment of chlorophyll a and numerous antenna pigments and proteins. Because chlorophyll a can only absorb light of a narrow wavelength, it works with the antenna pigments to gain energy from a larger part of the spectrum. The pigments absorb light of various wavelengths and pass along their gained energy to the reaction center chlorophyll. When the energy reaches the chlorophyll a, it releases two electrons into an electron transport chain.
Though chlorophyll a normally has an optimal absorption wavelength of 660 nanometers, it associates with different proteins in each type of photosytem to slightly shift its optimal wavelength, producing two distinct photosystem types. Other p[roteins serve to support the structure and electron pathwayts in the photosystem.
