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Plastoquinone

Plastoquinone is an essential component in the process of photosynthesis, specifically in photosystem II.

Chemical Formula: C₂₆H₃₀O₄

Other names: 5,6,6a,7,7a,11b-Hexahydro-2,3,5,5,7,7,9,10-octamethyl-6,11a,11cmetheno- 1H-benzo(c)fluorene-1,4,8,11(4aH)-tetrone

Layman's explanation: In 1959, F.L. Crane named plastoquinone for its concentration in the chloroplasts of higher plants. Plastoquinone is a yellow crystalline solid that is soluble in most organic solvents and is involved in the formation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. This plant molecule has also been found to be an essential component in carotenoid synthesis. There are three different redox states of a plastoquinone: the fully oxidized, called Q; the half reduced/oxidized semiquinone form QH-; and the fully reduced form, plastoquinol, QH2.

Keywords: photosynthesis, photosystem II, plastoquinol

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