Role of Nanoparticles on Photosynthesis

Nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the most widely studied substances of this century, resulting in the establishment of a new branch of science, “nanotechnology.” NPs are defined as particles having at least one dimension ranging between 1 and 100 nm in diameter that can change their physicochemical properties compared to their parent bulk material. In various aspects of daily life and energy production, NPs are widely used because of their exclusive characteristics and novel features. NPs can be synthesized from a variety of bulk materials, and their actions depend upon both their chemical composition and the size and/or shape of the particles. The rate of entry of NPs into plant cells depends on their size and surface properties: smaller NPs are able to enter easily, whereas larger NPs are unable to enter the cells or affect the metabolic pathways of cells. Some of the large NPs have been reported to form large pores to facilitate their entry through plant cell walls. The function of NPs on photosynthesis are different on various plants, even they also varies from plants to plants at species level also. Therefore, in this chapter a brief attempt has been made to summarize the present status associated with the effect of nanoparticles on photosynthesis in plants. To be very specific, NPs either boost up the photosynthesis processes by improving LHC (Light Harvesting Complex) in plants or hinder their pathways by blocking ETC (Electron Transport Chain) and they affect photosynthetic rate by change in several genes and enzymes like Carbonic anhydrase, RUBISCO and PEP caboxylase.