Entropy 2007, 9(4), 152-168; doi:10.3390/e9040152
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A Simple Thermodynamic Analysis of Photosynthesis

E. Albarrán-Zavala* email and F. Angulo-Brownemail
Departamento de Física, Escuela Superior de Física y Matemáticas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional U.P. Adolfo López Mateos, C.P. 07738, México D.F.
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 24 October 2006; in revised form: 26 September 2007 / Accepted: 4 October 2007 / Published: 26 November 2007
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Abstract: In this paper we present a comparative study of nine photosynthetic pathways bymeans of their thermodynamic performance. The comparison is made by using the thermalefficiency of light-to-chemical energy conversion and the so-called ecological criterionarising from finite-time thermodynamics. The application of both criteria leads tophotosynthesis made by metaphytes and non sulfur purple bacteria as those of bestthermodynamic performance. In spite of the simplicity of our thermodynamic approachsome insights over the low overall efficiency of photosynthesis is suggested.
Keywords: photosynthesis; thermodynamic performance; ecological function.

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MDPI and ACS Style

Albarrán-Zavala, E.; Angulo-Brown, F. A Simple Thermodynamic Analysis of Photosynthesis. Entropy 2007, 9, 152-168.

AMA Style

Albarrán-Zavala E, Angulo-Brown F. A Simple Thermodynamic Analysis of Photosynthesis. Entropy. 2007; 9(4):152-168.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Albarrán-Zavala, E.; Angulo-Brown, F. 2007. "A Simple Thermodynamic Analysis of Photosynthesis." Entropy 9, no. 4: 152-168.

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