The study of how photosynthetic organisms convert light offers insight not
only into nature's evolutionary process, but may also give clues as to how best
to design and manipulate artificial photosynthetic systems -- and also how far
we can drive natural photosynthetic systems beyond normal operating conditions,
so that they can harvest energy for us under otherwise extreme conditions. In
addition to its interest from a basic scientific perspective, therefore, the
goal to develop a deep quantitative understanding of photosynthesis offers the
potential payoff of enhancing our current arsenal of alternative energy sources
for the future.
In the following Chapter, we consider the trade-off between dynamics,
structure and function of light harvesting membranes in Rps. Photometricum
purple bacteria, as a model to highlight the priorities that arise when
photosynthetic organisms adapt to deal with the ever-changing natural
environment conditions.Comment: Chapter, to appear in Photosynthesis 2011, INTEC
