Mechanisms and Physiological Roles of Proton Movements in Plant Thylakoid Membranes

Photosynthetic electron transport is the light-driven transfer of electrons from water molecules, through two photosystems (PSs) and other redox components, to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+), forming NADPH. The protons released during the oxidation of water and plastoquinol drive the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate or ATP (photophosphorylation). The free energy in NADPH and ATP is finally stored in carbohydrates.