Question

The minerals involved in water splitting reaction during photosynthesis are :

• A. Magnesium and Chlorine
• B. Potassium and Manganese
• C. Molybdenum and Manganese
• D. Manganese and Chlorine
• E. Copper and Chlorine

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The phenomenon of breaking up of water into hydrogen and oxygen in the illuminated chloroplast is called photolysis or photocatalytic splitting of water. Light energy, an oxygen evolving complex $(OEC)$ and an electron carrier are required. Oxygen evolving complex was formerly called $Z$-enzyme. The enzyme has four $Mn$ ions. Liberation of $O_2$ also requires two other ions, $C{a}^{2+}$ and $C{l}^{-}$