Question

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer does NOT depend on the

• A. relative orientation of donor and acceptor
• B. fluorescence quantum yield of acceptor
• C. distance between donor and acceptor
• D. overlap between donor’s emission and acceptor’s absorption spectra

Hint:

In Förster resonance energy transfer, the efficiency is inversely related to the distance between donor and acceptor, and depends on the overlap between donor emission and acceptor absorption.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a process by which energy is transferred non-radiatively from a donor molecule to an acceptor molecule. FRET efficiency depends on several factors:
- (A): The relative orientation of the donor and acceptor molecules affects the FRET efficiency. This is because FRET depends on the dipole-dipole interaction between the donor and acceptor, and the efficiency increases when the molecules are properly aligned. Hence, statement (A) is incorrect.
- (B): The fluorescence quantum yield of the acceptor does not directly affect the FRET efficiency. FRET primarily depends on the donor's emission and the acceptor's absorption, not on the quantum yield of the acceptor. Therefore, statement (B) is correct.
- (C): The distance between the donor and acceptor is a key factor in FRET. FRET efficiency decreases with the sixth power of the distance between the donor and acceptor molecules. Thus, statement (C) is incorrect.
- (D): The overlap between the donor’s emission spectrum and the acceptor’s absorption spectrum is a critical factor for efficient energy transfer. A larger overlap increases the likelihood of FRET. Hence, statement (D) is incorrect.
Thus, the correct answer is (B).