Let’s start with the basics.
Your body evolved to be under the sun’s full light spectrum, which is why every aspect of it is designed to sense and use light.
How can I prove this?
Because we have chromophores all over the exterior and interior of our bodies.
Chromophores are molecules or parts of molecules responsible for the color of compounds.
They are typically the parts of a molecule that absorb visible light or ultraviolet light, leading to electronic transitions.
When a chromophore absorbs light, it moves to an excited state, and the energy associated with this transition often falls within the visible spectrum, which is why we perceive color.
So, how does this tie into the mitochondria?
Well, each mitochondrion in your body contains a series of complexes which are designed to transfer electrons through redox reactions to produce energy (ATP).
This chain of complexes is what we call the electron transport chain, and it’s found within the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Mitochondria are the lifeblood of each cell, hence they make all the difference between health and disease, life and death.
It ties in perfectly because of this fact:
The entire electron transport chain is LOADED with chromophores which are critical to the function of these complexes.
Now here’s where it gets fun.
I told you that your mitochondria are light-sensing organelles.
Here’s why.
⚡️ Complex I (NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase)
• Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN): Absorbs light at around 370 nm (UV) and 450 nm (blue light)
• Iron-Sulfur Clusters: These clusters have broad absorption, typically in the 400-600 nm range, but they don’t have distinct peaks like other chromophores
⚡️ Complex II (Succinate:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase)
• Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD): Absorbs at around 370 nm (UV) and 450 nm (blue light)
• Iron-Sulfur Clusters: Similar to Complex I, absorption is broad and typically in the 400-600 nm range
⚡️ Complex III (Cytochrome bc1 Complex)
• Cytochrome b:
- bL (low potential form): Absorbs at around 563 nm (yellow-green)
- bH (high potential form): Absorbs at around 566 nm (yellow-green)
• Cytochrome c1: Absorbs at around 552 nm
• Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein (2Fe-2S cluster): Absorption is broad, typically between 400-500 nm
⚡️ Complex IV (Cytochrome c Oxidase)
• Cytochrome a: Absorbs at ~ 605 nm
• Cytochrome a3: Absorbs at ~ 655 nm
Both orange and red light absorbed here
• Copper Centers (CuA and CuB): These centers absorb broadly in the visible region, but their exact absorption properties are less defined than the heme chromophores
⚡️ Additional Chromophores in the ETC
Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q): Ubiquinone itself is not strongly absorbing in the visible spectrum but does have weak absorption peaks in the UV range, around 275-290 nm
Biophoton emission right there
⚡️ Cytochrome c (Mobile Carrier)
Cytochrome c has an absorption wavelength of ~ 550 nm (in reduced form)
Now here’s the million dollar question.
Why does the entire electron transport chain sense various wavelengths of light from the sun at extreme precision?
I want to see the look on every physician, dermatologist, and ophthalmologist’s face when they’re shown this information.
The overall absorption range of the chromophores within the electron transport chain is between ~ 200 nm to ~ 900 nm.
From extremely low-frequency UV light (biophotons) to NIR light.
Any argument against sunlight exposure or for the use of sunglasses, sunscreen, sun-avoidance is hereby deemed as idiotic knowing this information.
This is especially the case because mitochondria control the health of every cell and are found everywhere in the body.
I rest my case.
Much love,
Zaid
Thank you for this post. Do you believe we have discovered all the ways in which the body relies upon light? Not looking for proof, just your opinion.
🤯 love this. such a straightforward simple explanation (at least to someone with a out dated biology degree)