Ke, B. Photosynthesis: photobiochemistry and photobiophysics

This volume is the tenth in the major series on photosynthesis, Advances in photosynthesis, and departs from the usually multi‐author volumes, being by a single author. Bacon Ke has produced a valuable addition to the review literature covering the reactions that occur in the process between 10–12 and 10–13 seconds. These fundamental processes are basically the transfer of the energy of photons to the pigments of the biological system, producing excited electronic states. This energy is utilized to ‘drive’ complex oxidation–reduction reactions, involving electron and proton transport, to synthesize organic components of the system. Ultimately, all this leads to formation of proteins, which are responsible for the biochemical reactions of the system and its autocatalytic formation. Hence, these processes are fundamental in the sense of being rapid, early events, and the foundation of all other aspects of biology. The topic covered in this volume has been reviewed many times: the reason for the emphasis is easy to see and to appreciate. The Holy Grail of such research or, more particularly, of its application, is to emulate the efficiency of photosynthesis in the capture of almost unlimited solar energy, but under industrial conditions, for the further good of humanity. Despite our dependence on fossil fuels, we are still bound to photosynthesis, via plants, for food, and may have to return (to a much greater extent at least) to our earlier state of dependence if CO2 emissions are to be curbed. Despite the frequency and depth with which the photosynthetic processes have been covered, Professor Ke provides researchers, teachers and students of photobiology and associated processes with an excellent, up‐to‐date summary (if some 740 pages of text can be called a summary) of the events on which so much depends. The structure is logical and there are six main sections: first, an ‘Overview’ (50 pp.) of photosynthesis relevant to the scope of the text. This is clearly written, bringing in aspects of molecular‐scale structure and function of components and energetics, set in the global context; it would serve as a good reference for students. In ‘Bacterial photosynthesis’ (130 pp.), the structure of the light‐harvesting complexes, bacterial reaction centres and the electron acceptors and electron transport chains are considered. Structural aspects are well described and linked to the processes of electron transport. Naturally, the photosystems of the cyanobacteria and of eukaryotes, algae and higher plants, are thoroughly analysed in ‘Photosystem II’, ‘Oxygen evolution’ and ‘Photosystem I’. The structures and processes are so complex that teasing out the general from the specific in the primary literature is difficult for the non‐specialist: the author has provided an excellent review reducing the topic to a manageable whole, without skimping or trivializing. The final section, ‘Proton transport and photophosphorylation’ is relatively short (70 pp.) but conveys, very convincingly, the current concepts of the way in which ATP is made. The approach throughout the book is rather historical (intended as a compliment in a time when anything older than the computer‐based literature search is not of interest to many), building up the topic and using the literature effectively. The literature is extensively covered but is rather old—relatively little from the late 1990s, with a cut‐off about 1998, probably reflecting the time in production. I found the style of writing very easy to follow, in a topic where clarity is not always easy to achieve. Of course, it is full of detail—without it the purpose would be lost—but facts are used to show processes, and the whole reads well. Illustrations are profuse, relevant and used effectively. Eight colour pages (collected at the front of the book—a cost‐related expedient?) enliven the presentation; they are essential when trying to decipher ribbon models of complex structures. The presentation is of the highest quality. Readers will probably be those involved in research, particularly those new to the topic. Teachers of the core topics considered here, and also those teaching more peripheral subjects, will benefit greatly from the coverage. It is too specialized and detailed for general undergraduate use, although parts could well be useful. In general, this volume, like others in the series, is an important source of reference and would greatly benefit libraries (if they can afford the cost) in places where photosynthesis is taken seriously. Professor Ke is to be congratulated on a monumental work of synthesis.