Photosynthesis and Solar cells

In order for humans to live, as well as all living organisms, photosynthesis used by plants to create solar energy is essential. The way cells are created and regenerated is fascinating and we are still making new discoveries each and every day.
A solar cell converts light energy from the sun directly into electricity. Plant cells contains chloroplasts and absorbs light energy from the Sun. Plant growth and development are driven by continuous generation of new cells. (Inze, D. &DeVeylder, L. The plant cycle Annu.Rev Plant Biology, 54 235-236, 2006). There are several similarities in both cells. ATP in common in both plant cells and solar cells. ATP synthase is a ubiquitous membrane enzyme that plays a key role in biological energy metabolism. This enzyme interconverts two major "energy currencies" of a living cell: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and transmembrane electrochemical proton potential difference. ATP synthase is found in bacteria, plants, and animals. In most organisms the primary function of the enzyme is ATP synthesis from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate. The energy needed for this process comes from the proton electrochemical potential difference generated by respiration or photosynthesis. (Boris A. Feniouk, 2002-2010) Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar. This process occurs in plants and some algae (Kingdom Protista). Plants need only light energy, CO2, and H2O to make sugar. The process of photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts, specifically using chlorophyll, the green pigment involved in photosynthesis .(Sci Links- J. Stein Carter, 1996) Solar and plant cells are also similar in that they each possess chromosomes. This is a necessity in their respective functions. As we acknowledge that all organisms have cells. For an organism to grow and function properly, cells must constantly divide to produce new cells to replace old, worn-out cells. During cell division, it is essential that DNA remains intact and evenly distributed among cells. Chromosomes are a key part of the process that ensures DNA is accurately copied and distributed in the vast majority of cell divisions. They are different when we discuss climate. As for some plants in very dry weather, it will be hard for them to survive but in solar energy this is not the case. Solar cells are is inorganic while plant cells are organic. Plant cells will not survive without the proper amount of water and sunlight which solar cells are able to contain enough energy from sunlight to continue to produce electricity even on cloudy days. Law of thermodynamics tells us that energy can’t be created or destroyed and can be changed from one form to another. Some forms of energies can be lost in conversion and entropy increases. The loss of usable energy is usually in the form of heat. This applies to both solar and plant cells.

What is significant is the absolute distinction between the process of electron transfer involved in the operation of solar cells, versus in the operation of photosynthesis, a process which, superficially, may seem broadly analogous (www.larouchepac.com).

Solar cells operate by the photoelectric effect, in which incoming sunlight excites electrons within a semiconducting material like silicon to higher energy level, leading to the movement of free electrons, which eventually pass into an external circuit to maintain a flow of electricity (www.larouchepac.com).

In plants, an incident photon of sunlight also excites a single electron in the chlorophyll molecule, bumping it up to a higher energy level(www.larouchepac.com).

Cells are a basic unit of life and all organisms are made up of different kinds of cells. Life was created by cells and their constant evolving is what makes up diversity around us. The more technology we have, the better we are able to analyze and use those resources in more efficient ways.

References

www.larouchepac.com

Sci Links- J. Stein Carter, 1996)

Boris A. Feniouk, 2002-2010

Inze, D. &DeVeylder, L. The plant cycle Annu.Rev Plant Biology, 54 235-236, 2006