While trying to figure out if it were possible to extract electrons from a known process in the early stages of photosynthesis, the scientists instead found an entirely-new electron transfer pathway, which for those who remember their biology 101, is the metabolic method that extracts the most energy from food.

The study's authors believe this new understanding of photosynthesis could create new and more efficient ways of harnessing the process's power to generate biofuels.

The research team, comprised of scientists from across the globe, first set out to understand why a ring-shaped molecule called a 'quinone' is able to steal electrons from the photosynthetic process

Quinones, which are common in nature, are able to easily accept and give away electrons.