Proposal for verifying dipole properties of light-harvesting antennas

TL;DR

This paper proposes an experiment to verify the dipole properties of light-harvesting antenna complexes, providing explanations for their structural features and predicting that dimeric forms are favored under intense sunlight.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach based on antenna theories to verify structural and functional properties of light-harvesting complexes, including a mechanism for dimerization.

Findings

Explains the functional roles of structural features like the notch and PufX.

Predicts dimeric complexes are favored under intense sunlight.

Provides a mechanism for the dimerization process.

Abstract

For light harvesters with a reaction center complex (LH1-RC complex) of three types, we propose an experiment to verify our analysis based upon antenna theories that automatically include the required structural information. Our analysis conforms to the current understanding of light-harvesting antennae in that we can explain known properties of these complexes. We provide an explanation for the functional roles of the notch at the light harvester, a functional role of the polypeptide called PufX or W at the opening, a functional role of the special pair, a reason that the cross section of the light harvester must not be circular, a reason that the light harvester must not be spherical, reasons for the use of dielectric bacteriochlorophylls instead of conductors to make the light harvester, a mechanism to prevent damage from excess sunlight, an advantage of the dimeric form, and reasons for the modular design of nature. Based upon our analysis we provide a mechanism for dimerization. We predict the dimeric form of light-harvesting complexes is favoured under intense sunlight. We further comment upon the classification of the dimeric or S-shape complexes. The S-shape complexes should not be considered as the third type of light harvester but simply as a composite form.