Grana formation: entropy-assisted local order in chloroplasts?
Date
1999
Authors
Chow, Wah S (Fred)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CSLI Publications
Abstract
Grana formation is a prominent feature of the ultrastructure of chlorophyll b-containing chloroplasts, serving to fine-tune photosynthetic efficiency. This paper examines the physical forces that determine the state of minimum free energy of the chloroplast as manifested by grana formation. In particular, it considers the interplay of van der Waals attraction, electrostatic repulsion and short-range hydration repulsion between thylakoid membranes. In addition to these interactions as determinants of the free energy of the system, it is also proposed that ordering of thylakoid membranes and of intramembrane protein complexes is driven by an increase in the overall entropy of the system. This local order may partly come about by an increase in entropy associated with a greater free volume for diffusion of membrane and stromal components.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Electrostatic repulsion; Entropy; Grana; Hydration force; Thylakoid stacking
Citation
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Source
Australian Journal of Plant Physiology
Type
Journal article