About iron deficiency mechanism?

Question

Can anybody explain the iron deficiency mechanism on plants, in terms of strategy I and strategy II? ( especially strategy II)

Thanks a lot...

Answer 1

Guessing that the short answer of "because!" won't work, I guess in short that what you want is how iron is important in both cyclic and non cyclic photophosphorylation. Plants take light energy in the form of photons and in photo system 1 (cyclic) then energy goes from chlorophyll pigment to pigment to pigment until it reaches a special form of chlorophyll "a" called P700, with the electrons now very excited. That electron of energy is now sent to a number of different molecules one after another, as above, that are electron acceptors, one of which are iron rich pigments called cytochrome's. All the while enzymes in the plant cell are catalyzing these molecules until the electron cycles back to the chlorophyll but at a greatly reduced level of energy, the bulk used in the work of the cell. This is where ADP to ATP energy production happens. As you can see by the above description that there is a cycle of hand offs like runners on a track handing off the batton over and over.

In photo system 2 (non-cyclic) some of the excited electron from P700 go to the iron containing ferrodoxin and eventually to NADP (I believe that's what you are looking for?). What goes on is the energy (electrons) takes two hydrogen atoms out of a water molecule and uses them to form NADP2. The hydrogen can now be used in combination with CO2 to make carbohydrate. I guess, also, that any imbalance of system 1 or 2 in the end result can be made up for by the other system as they work together but apart. I don't know if what was called P700 has been identified yet but, that is the short version, and it is, when one is required to memorize the actual workings, the stuff of nightmares and test anxiety. In short, if iron is not supplied to the plant, it will not be able to meet the energy demands for life in the first cycle, and not be able to use H2O and CO2 to form carbohydrates with the energy in the second reactions. For more detail, you will have to look it up. I have PTSD from memorization in college and I have to go take a pill now.

Answer 2

This reference might give you the explanation of the iron deficiency mechanism you are looking for. I figured from your question that you already know what iron deficiency is and what it does to the plant.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-1141...