Which one of the following is essential for photolysis of water?
Copper
Boron
Manganese
Zinc
Water photolysis is the process by which water molecules are broken down into hydrogen and oxygen under the action of light in the photoreaction process of photosynthesis. 2H 2 O → 4H ++ 4e − + O 2 The photolysis of water requires light energy and OEC (complex evolving oxygen) and electron carriers. OEC has four Mn ions. Light energy causes changes in Mn that help remove electrons from OH - the component of water that forms oxygen. Therefore, manganese (Mn) is essential for the photolysis of water. Hence, option 3 is correct.