Cunningham Township in Urbana in Champaign County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Understanding Photosynthesis

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

1. Understanding Photosynthesis Marker

Inscription. Illinois was home to two pioneers of photosynthesis research. Robert Emerson and Eugene Rabinowitch made fundamental discoveries that revealed the mechanisms for converting light to chemical energy in photosynthesis. Rabinowitch applied physical principles to understanding this process. By forging a link between the biological and physical sciences, they helped establish the discipline of biophysics.

Erected by University of Illinois.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Illinois series list.

Location. 40° 6.592′ N, 88° 13.563′ W. Marker is in Urbana, Illinois, in Champaign County. It is in Cunningham Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Green Street and South Mathews Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at the north entrance to the Natural History Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1301 W Green St, Urbana IL 61801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Natural History Building (a few steps from this marker); Illite and Clay Mineralogy (within shouting distance of this marker); Cyclothems (about 300 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Multiphase Fluid Dynamics (about 400 feet away); Archaea (about 500 feet away); Former Site of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign (about 500 feet away); Sound on Film (about 600 feet away); Measuring Molecular Structure (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.

Also see . . . Robert Emerson and Eugene Rabinowitch: Understanding Photosynthesis (PDF). The setting for this pathbreaking scientific work was the University of Illinois, in particular the Natural History Building. … The side entrance to this building, somewhat hidden by an old glasshouse on Mathews Avenue, leads to the building's basement and to a rather dingy corridor along which one walks south to a dark brown door labeled 157. The old door once led to the laboratory where Emerson and Rabinowitch worked. (Govindjee, "The Photosynthesis Page," 2004) (Submitted on June 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

2. Understanding Photosynthesis Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.