Fundamental helical geometry consolidates the plant photosynthetic membrane.

摘要: Plant photosynthetic (thylakoid) membranes are organized into complex networks that differentiated 2 distinct morphological and functional domains called grana stroma lamellae. How the join to form a continuous lamellar system has been subject of numerous studies since mid-1950s. Using different electron tomography techniques, we found lamellae connected by an array pitch-balanced right- left-handed helical membrane surfaces radii pitch. Consistent with theoretical predictions, this arrangement is shown minimize surface bending energies membranes. Related configurations were proposed be present in rough endoplasmic reticulum dense nuclear matter phases theorized exist neutron star crusts, where elements differ only their handedness. Pitch-balanced alternating handedness may thus constitute fundamental geometry for efficient packing layers or sheets.