Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Bacterial semiconductors, is this how photosynthesis started ?

  • 22-08-2017 06:43PM
    #1
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 95,977 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Also on Biology http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057778513

    So much :eek:

    For me the epic bit is that IMHO this might be a way life started harvesting energy. A semiconductor crystal exposed to light would have a potential across it and if this could be expressed across a membrane you now have a way to recharge your ATP without needing respiration.

    Far fetched but potentially a protocell could become a little powerhouse able to drive some chemical reactions without needing a full biochemical pathway in place.

    Potential fossil evidence too with the crystals. Not to mention the DNA




    http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40975719
    After combing through old microbiology literature, researchers realised that some bugs have a natural defence to cadmium, mercury or lead that lets them turn the heavy metal into a sulphide which the bacteria express as a tiny, crystal semiconductor on their surfaces.


Advertisement