Figure 10.1
-In a protein complex for the light reaction (a reaction center), energy is transferred from pigment molecule to pigment molecule, to a special chlorophyll a molecule, and eventually to the primary electron acceptor. Why does this occur?
A)The action spectrum of that molecule is such that it is different from other molecules of chlorophyll.
B)The potential energy of the electron has to go back to the ground state.
C)The molecular environment lets it boost an electron to a higher energy level and also to transfer the electron to another molecule.
D)Each pigment molecule has to be able to act independently to excite electrons.
E)These chlorophyll a molecules are associated with higher concentrations of ATP.

Question

Figure 10.1 
-In a protein complex for the light reaction (a reaction center), energy is transferred from pigment molecule to pigment molecule, to a special chlorophyll a molecule, and eventually to the primary electron acceptor. Why does this occur?
A)The action spectrum of that molecule is such that it is different from other molecules of chlorophyll. 
B)The potential energy of the electron has to go back to the ground state. 
C)The molecular environment lets it boost an electron to a higher energy level and also to transfer the electron to another molecule. 
D)Each pigment molecule has to be able to act independently to excite electrons. 
E)These chlorophyll a molecules are associated with higher concentrations of ATP.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecular environment of the protein complex allows for the chlorophyll a molecule to boost an electron to a higher energy level and transfer it to another molecule. This process, known as resonance energy transfer, helps to efficiently transfer energy from pigment molecule to pigment molecule until it reaches the special chlorophyll a molecule and then to the primary electron acceptor. It does not occur because of a different action spectrum or higher concentrations of ATP, nor does each pigment molecule need to act independently. The potential energy of the electron does eventually return to the ground state, but this is not the primary reason for the energy transfer.

Figure 10.1 -In a Protein Complex for the Light Reaction (A Reaction