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Regulation of photosynthetic pigments in micro-algae by multiple environmental factors: a dynamic balance hypothesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

TODD M. KANA ,
RICHARD J. GEIDER  and
CHRISTA CRITCHLEY
TODD M. KANA
Affiliation:
Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA
RICHARD J. GEIDER
Affiliation:
Marine Biological Association of the UK, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
CHRISTA CRITCHLEY
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Abstract

Environmental effects on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in micro-algae can be explained by dynamics of photosystem synthesis and deactivation. A model that couples photosystem losses to the relative cellular rates of energy harvesting (light absorption) and assimilation predicts optimal concentrations of light-harvesting pigments and balanced energy flow under environmental conditions that affect light availability and metabolic rates. Effects of light intensity, nutrient supply and temperature on growth rate and pigment levels were similar to general patterns observed across diverse micro-algal taxa. Results imply that dynamic behaviour associated with photophysical stress, and independent of gene regulation, might constitute one mechanism for photo-acclimation of photosynthesis.

Keywords

Algal photosynthesisexcitation pressurephotoadaptationphotosystem IIpigments
Type
Research Article
Information
The New Phytologist , Volume 137 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 629 - 638
Copyright
© Trustees of the New Phytologist 1997

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