PHOTO INDUCED EFFECTS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Photosynthesis Ultraviolet Effects Vision Circadian Rhythm or cycle

1.PHOTOSYNTHESIS
The synthesis of organic compounds primarily sugars from carbon dioxide and water (or other hydrogen(electron)

donors) using sunlight as the source of

energy and chlorophyll (or some other closely related pigment) for trapping the light energy.

Sunlight

6CO2 +
Carbon Dioxide

6H2O
Water

C6H12O6
GLUCOSE

+ 6O2
Oxygen.

Chlorophyll

The Two Stages of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis consists of two processes
The light reactions The Calvin cycle

Factors affecting photosynthesis

Light irradiance and wavelength Carbon dioxide concentration Temperature

2.UV Effects

 The sun radiates energy in a wide range of wavelengths, most of which are invisible to human eyes. The shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the radiation, and the greater the potential for harm. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches the Earths surface is in wavelengths between 290 and 400 nm

 Radiation at the longer UV wavelengths of 315-400 nm, called UV-A, plays a helpful and essential role in formation of Vitamin D by the skin, and plays a harmful role in that it causes sunburn on human skin and cataracts in our eyes.

 The majority of positive health effects relate to vitamin D which has regulatory roles in calcium metabolism (which is vital for normal functioning of the nervous system, as well as for bone growth and maintenance of bone density) immunity, cell proliferation, insulin secretion and blood pressure

 The incoming radiation at shorter wavelengths, 280-320 nm, falls within the UV-B part of the electromagnetic spectrum. UV-B causes damage at the molecular level to the fundamental building block of life deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

 DNA readily absorbs UV-B radiation, which commonly changes the shape of the molecule . Changes in the DNA molecule often mean that protein-building enzymes cannot read the DNA code at that point on the molecule. As a result, distorted proteins can be made, or cells can die.

3.VISION
Electromagnetic radiation all energy waves from short gamma rays to long radio waves Our eyes respond to a small portion of this spectrum called the visible spectrum Reflected light translated into mental image Pupil limits light, lens focuses light Retinal rods and cones are photoreceptors

The Retina: Photoreceptors

Rods:
Respond to dim light Are used for peripheral vision

Cones:
Respond to bright light Have color vision

Excitation of Rods
The visual pigment of rods is rhodopsin (opsin + 11-cis retinal) Light phase
Rhodopsin breaks down into all-trans retinal + opsin (bleaching of the pigment)

Dark phase
All-trans retinal converts to 11-cis form 11-cis retinal is also formed from vitamin A 11-cis retinal + opsin regenerate rhodopsin

Excitation of Cones
Visual pigments in cones are similar to rods (retinal + opsins) There are three types of cones: blue, green, and red Intermediate colors are perceived by activation of more than one type of cone Method of excitation is similar to rods

LASER and Eyes

Laser light in the visible to near infrared spectrum (i.e., 400 - 1400 nm) can cause damage to the retina resulting in scotoma (blind spot in the fovea). This wave band is also know as the "retinal hazard region". Laser light in the ultraviolet (290 - 400 nm) or far infrared (1400 - 10,600 nm) spectrum can cause damage to the cornea and/or to the lens.

4.Circadian Rhythm or cycle

From the Latin circa (about) dies (a day), the circadian rhythm is the twenty-four-hour cycle of light/dark, wakefulness/sleep to which most human physiologic processes are set. At regular intervals each day, the body tends to become hungry, tired, active, listless, energized. Body temperature, heart-beat, blood pressure, hormone levels, and urine flow rise and fall in this relatively predictable, rhythmic pattern - a pattern initiated and governed by exposure to sunlight and darkness.

 The biological clock can keep the time; but in the absence of correction from the day/light cycle provided by the sun, the biological clock tend go out of sync affecting our physical and mental health(e.g.,hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders and mood disturbances) .

Circannual Rhythm Circannual rhythm is the annual or yearly cycle used by all living things.

Circaseptan Rhythm
Circaseptan rhythm is a seven-day cycle in which the biological processes of life, including disease symptoms and development, resolve. Many physicians believe that transplant patients tend to have more rejection episodes seven, fourteen, twentyone, and twenty-eight days after surgery. They further believe that medications administered to the patients at particular times may be more effective than at other times. These are all related to the circaseptan rhythm.

 Chronobiology is a new science that is concerned with identifying our cycles and internal clocks and seeing how they interact. Such natural rhythms as temperature fluctuations, weather systems, patterns of light and dark are studied to explore how it affects the life cycle of men and women.

Thank You!