Light, time and micro-organisms

Structure of the photosynthetic reaction centre viewed with Chime



With the plug-in Chime, the structure can be examined interactively. Alternatively, the atomic coordinates can be downloaded and the file opened in RasMol.

Using Chime, with the cursor over the graphic: drag to rotate; shift + drag to scale; hold the mouse button down to select display options.

The L-chain is light blue; the M-chain is green; the H-chain, predominantly exposed to the cytoplasmic phase, is yellow; the cytochrome c, in the periplasm, is dark blue.

The L and M chains are symmetrically arranged around an axis that is roughly perpendicular to the photosynthetic membrane.

Zoom in (shift + drag) and choose "Sticks" from "Display" to see the haems, bacteriochlorophylls and other prosthetic groups coloured red.