DOSSIER: NCERT LINE BY LINE, Photosynthesis, pre-class

Electrons generally move from a more negative (lower) or less positive redox potential to less negative or a more positive (higher) redox potential, reflecting a downhill energy flow. However, in the Z-scheme of photosynthesis, there are two key points where light energy is used to excite electrons, allowing them to move uphill to a more positive redox potential.

Electron Carrier Redox Potential (mV)
Water (H₂O) +820 mV
P680 (PSII reaction center) +1,200 mV
Pheophytin (Pheo) -500 mV
Plastoquinone (PQ) +80 mV
Cytochrome b6f complex +300 mV
Plastocyanin (PC) +370 mV
P700 (PSI reaction center) +600 mV
A₀ (first acceptor in PSI) -1,100 mV
A₁ (Phylloquinone) -800 mV
Iron-sulfur clusters (FX, FA, FB) -705 mV to -590 mV
Ferredoxin (Fd) -430 mV
NADP⁺ / NADPH -320 mV
GO TO INTERACTIVE LAB ⚡