An analytical review is given of the biophysical aspects of primary light-driven charge separation in photosynthesis reaction centers (RCs), which are special pigment-protein complexes residing in a cell membrane. The primary (physical) stage of charge separation occurs in the pico- and femtosecond ranges and consists in transferring an electron along the active A-branch of pigments. The review presents vast factual material both on the general issues of primary photosynthesis and some more specific topics, including 1) the role of inactive B-branch of pigments, 2) the effect of protein environment on the charge separation, and 3) the participation of monomeric bacteriochlorophyll B_A in primary electron acception. It is shown that the electron transfer and stabilization are strongly influenced by crystallographic water and tyrosine M210 molecules from the nearest environment of B_A. A connection between the collective nuclear motions and electron transfer at charge separation is shown. The nature of the high quantum efficiency of the primary charge separation reactions is discussed.

Keywords: photosynthesis, reaction center, charge separation, electron transfer PACS: 87.15.ht, 87.15.M−, 87.15.R− (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2016.02.037701 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2016/6/b/ 000386349400002 2-s2.0-84987597397 2016PhyU...59..531Y Citation: Yakovlev A G, Shuvalov V A "Physical stage of photosynthesis charge separation" Phys. Usp. 59 531–557 (2016) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 19th, October 2015, revised: 28th, January 2016, accepted: 2nd, February 2016 Оригинал: Яковлев А Г, Шувалов В А «Физическая стадия разделения зарядов при фотосинтезе» УФН 186 597–625 (2016); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2016.02.037701