1. to reduce (a chemical compound) by means of light energy, especially in photochemical or photosynthetic processes
Usage: technical; chemistry/biology; third person singular present tense of photereduce

Examples

• The enzyme photoreduces carbon dioxide during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
• In this experiment, the catalyst photoreduces water molecules when exposed to ultraviolet light.
• The chlorophyll molecule photoreduces NADP+ to NADPH in the thylakoid membrane.
• Certain bacteria photoreduces sulfur compounds as part of their metabolic pathway.
• The semiconductor photoreduces metal ions when illuminated with visible light.