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The biochemical nature of light detection and emission In this essay I aim to describe the range of biochemical pathways and mechanisms used by living organisms both to detect and to emit light. I will discuss general principles employed, and illustrate the range of different biochemistry involved by the use of many specific examples. Light Detection I will discuss the mechanism and function of light detection by five groups of light detecting molecule. The biggest of these is the rhodopsin group of proteins, I will also look at the role of phytochromes, cryptochromes, flavoproteins and porphirins in light detection. Rhodopsins are found in a diverse array of organisms, all featuring a retinoid prosthetic group linked to a an apo-protein, opsin via a protonated schiff base linkage. Electrons from the schiff base lone pair occupy an extra orbital (the 'n orbital'), therefore electrons can undergo a n-p* transition as well...

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