摘要Plants often encounter light intensities exceeding the capacity of photosynthesis(excessive light)mainly due to biotic and abiotic factors,which lower CO2 fixation and reduce light energy sinks.Under excessive light,the photosynthetic electron transport chain generates damaging molecules,hence leading to photo-oxidative stress and eventually to cell death.In this review,we summarize the mechanisms linking the excessive absorption of light energy in chloroplasts to programmed cell death in plant leaves.We highlight the importance of reactive carbonyl species generated bylipid photooxidation,their detoxification,and the integrating role of the endoplasmic reticulum in the adoption of phototolerance or cell-death pathways.Finally,we invite the scientific community to standardize the conditions of excessive light treatments.