Effect of blue and red light on the synthesis of ribosomal RNA in Chlorella]

In autotrophic cultures of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (strain 211-8b) incorporation of tritiated guanosine and uridine into ribosomal RNA is stimulated by light. Blue light of wavelengths around 457 nm is considerably more effective than red light around 679 nm (5-10(-10) Einstein cm-2 sec-1 for both). This effect can be demonstrated for young daughter cells (at the end of the dark period) and for older cells (at the end of the light period). It is shown to depend on a regulation of rRNA-synthesis. The blue light dependent enhancement of incorporation is more pronounced in the cytoplasmic rRNA (25 and 18 s) than in the chloroplast rRNA (23 and 16 s). Blue light of low intensity (1-10(-10) Einstein cm-2 sec-1) has nearly the same effectivity as the fivefold intensity, whereas red light of equal quantum fluxes enhances incorporation only slightly compared with the dark control. The blue light dependent enhancement of rRNA-synthesis continues in the following darkness in contrary to that caused by red light. This enhancement is also found in DCMU-poisened cultures. In contrast to this, is red light in presence of DCMU, incorporation into rRNA is nearly the same as in dark. It is concluded that the regulation of rRNA-synthesis in red light is closely connected to complete photosynthesis, while in blue light an additional regulation takes place independent of photosynthesis.     

STIMULATION OF LIGHT-SATURATED PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN LAMINARIA (PHAEOPHYTA) BY BLUE LIGHT1

The light-saturated rate of photosynthesis in blue light was 50-100% higher than that in red light for young sporophytes of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour., although photosynthetic rates were slightly higher in red than in blue light at low irradiances. Short exposures to low irradiances (e.g. 2 min at 20 μmol · m^?2· s^?1) of blue light also stimulated the subsequent photosynthesis of Laminaria sporophytes in saturating irradiances of red light but had little effect on photosynthesis in low irradiances of red light. The full stimulatory effect of short exposures to blue light was observed within 5 min of the blue treatment and persisted for at least 15 min in red light or in darkness. Thereafter, the effect began to decline, but some stimulation was still detectable 45 min after the blue treatment. The degree of stimulation was proportional to the logarithm of the photon exposure to blue light over the range 0.15-2.4 mmol · m^?2, and the effectiveness of an exposure to 0.6 mmol · m^?2at different wavelengths was high at 402-475 nm (with a peak at 460-475 nm) but declined sharply at 475-497 nm and was minimal at 544-701 nm. Blue light appears, therefore, to exert a direct effect on the dark reaction of photosynthesis in brown algae, possibly by activating carbon-fixing enzymes or by stimulating the uptake or transport of inorganic carbon in the plants.     

Potentiation of photosynthetic oxygen evolution in red light by small quantities of monochromatic blue light

Growth of the giant unicellular green alga, Acetabularia crenulata, stops in red light of broad spectral composition, but can be restored by the addition of small quantities of blue light. Long-term records of O₂ evolution indicate that the photosynthesis of Acetabularia responds in a parallel manner to blue light. Cells photosynthesizing at a light-limited rate in white light were given red light at an intensity that served to match or somewhat increase the instantaneous rate of O₂ production. A rapid decline in the rate commenced within 15 minutes and continued for 2 hours or more until it had fallen to 20 to 40% of the initial level. Very small doses of violet or blue radiation (<10⁻⁸ Einstein/cm²) then affected a complete, though temporary, restoration of the original rate of photosynthesis. Responses began after a lag of 4 to 5 minutes, regardless of their magnitude, and in the most favorable instances persisted 4 to 6 hours after the stimulus. Blue light treatments were effective as flashes as brief as 2.5 seconds, given simultaneously or in sequence with the red measuring light, or as low-intensity continuous irradiations. Blue-light induction of the response was stable over at least 5 minutes of darkness. After a suitable red-light pretreatment, 2 other algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardi and Fucus vesiculosus, were shown to respond similarly to low-intensity irradiations with blue or blue-green light.     

Growth, greening, and phytochrome in etiolated spirodela (lemnaceae)

Two species of Spirodela were grown aseptically in a simple mineral medium containing sucrose. Weak red light (15 erg cm⁻² sec⁻¹) enhanced dark growth of S. oligorrhiza, whereas weak far red light (15 erg cm⁻² sec⁻¹) when given after the red light reduced this effect.     

Influence of light quality on the ribosomal RNA levels inWolffia arrhiza: Comparison of phosphate and magnesium limited chemostat populations

Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Wimm. was grown axenically in the chemostat under white luminescent light (photon fluence rate 23 ujnol m^-2 s^-1) and phosphate or magnesium limitation (0.075 and 0.01 jxmol 1^-1, respectively). Aliquots (1 g fresh mass) were taken from the continuous cultures and were irradiated for 1 h with either white light (control) or monochromatic blue (453 nm) or red (654 nm) light. The amount of [5^-3H]-uridine incorporated into cytosolic and chloroplastic rRNAs during these exposures was estimated and following results were obtained: In phosphate limited plants rod light considerably reduced and blue light slightly increased label incorporation as compared with the control. Moreover, in red light, chloroplast incorporation is relatively more slowed down than that in the cytosolic compartment (34 % as compared to 59 % of the control). In blue light the enhancement is approximately equal in both compartments. In magnesium limited plants incorporation under both blue and red light is moderately slower as compared with the control. In both cases also the retardation is slightly greater in the chloroplast than in the cytoplasm. The results suggest that rRNA metabolism is controlled by light quality as well as by mineral nutrition.     

Der Einfluß von Rot- und Blaulicht auf die Photosynthese vonAcetabularia mediterranea und auf die Verteilung des assimilierten Kohlenstoffs

Zusammenfassung Bei Zellen der marinen Grünalge Acetabularia mediterranea liegen nach 2stündiger Photosynthese im Weißlicht (8000 Lux) etwa 80% des fixierten¹⁴C in äthanollöslicher Form vor, etwa 12% entfallen auf Stärke, 2–3% auf Protein und 6% auf die Zellwand.Werden die Zellen mit Rotlicht (Dauerlicht, 3800 erg · cm^–2 · sec^–1) bestrahlt, so fällt die Einbaurate in allen 4 Fraktionen stark ab (Abb. 1). Dabei nimmt der¹⁴C-Anteil in der äthanollöslichen Fraktion innerhalb von 3 Wochen zu Lasten der Stärke und Zellwand von 80% auf ca. 90% zu. Im Gegensatz dazu wird im Blaulicht (Dauerlicht, 5600 erg · cm^–2 · sec^–1) mit der Bestrahlungsdauer der Einbau in Stärke, Zellwand und Protein gefördert (Abb. 1).Trotz sinkender Einbauraten von¹⁴C in Stärke nimmt im Rotlicht der Stärkegehalt pro Zelle zu, liegt dagegen im Blaulicht trotz höherer¹⁴C-Einbauraten deutlich unter demjenigen der Rotlichtzellen (Tabelle 1 und 2). Die Akkumulation von Stärke im Rotlicht dürfte demnach auf einer Hemmung des Stärkeabbaus beruhen.Der Gehalt an löslichen Kohlenhydraten (Fructose, Glucose, Saccharose, Fructosane) stagniert in Rotlichtzellen und steigt in Blaulichtzellen um ein Mehrfaches an (Tabelle 1).Bestrahlung mit Blaulicht nach Rotlichtvorbehandlung führt zu einem Ansteigen der Photosyntheseintensität. Nach 8stündiger Bestrahlung nimmt die Fixierungsrate zu und erreicht nach 48- bis 72stündiger Bestrahlung etwa das 5- bis 6fache des am Ende der Rotlichtbestrahlung gemessenen Wertes (Abb. 2).Diesem Anstieg der Fixierungsrate muß offenbar eine Synthese von Proteinen vorausgehen (Abb. 3). Auch der¹⁴C-Einbau in Stärke und die Zellwand steigt bereits vor der Gesamtfixierung an, und außerdem wird der Abbau der während der Rotlichtvorbehandlung akkumulierten Stärke eingeleitet (Tabelle 2).Der Hauptanteil des¹⁴C in der löslichen Fraktion entfällt auf die löslichen Kohlenhydrate. Bestrahlung mit Blaulicht nach Rotlichtvorbehandlung führt zunächst zu einer Abnahme des¹⁴C-Einbaus in die löslichen Kohlenhydrate, gefolgt von einem starken Anstieg bis zur 72. Stunde und einem erneuten Abfall (Abb. 4). Während der¹⁴C-Einbau in Fructose, Saccharose und Glucose diesem Kurvenverlauf folgt, steigt der Einbau in Inulin bis zur 72. Stunde kontinuierlich an (Abb. 5).Demgegenüber ist der auf die basische (Aminosäuren) und die saure Fraktion entfallende Anteil gering. Der¹⁴C-Einbau in beide nimmt im Blaulicht kontinuierlich zu (Abb. 4). Aminosäuren werden in den Zellen auch nach 3wöchiger Bestrahlung mit Rotlicht gebildet. Ferner ist der Gehalt an Aminosäuren am Ende der Rotlichtvorbehandlung am höchsten (Tabelle 3). Die Syntheserate von Protein in Rotlicht dürfte demnach nicht durch die Aminosäurekonzentration begrenzt werden.Die Ursache für den Abfall der Photosyntheseintensität bei Rotlichtbestrahlung ist den vorliegenden Daten nicht zu entnehmen. Die Möglichkeiten, die dabei eine Rolle spielen könnten, werden diskutiert.

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The effect of red and blue light on photosynthesis ofAcetabularia mediterranea and on the distribution of assimilated carbon

Summary After photosynthesis for two hours in white light (8000 lux), cells of the marine chlorophycean algaAcetabularia mediterranea contain about 80% of the¹⁴C incorporated in ethanol soluble form, about 12% in starch, 2–3% in protein, and 6% in the cell wall.When cells are irradiated with red light (continuous light, 3800 erg · cm^–2 · sec^–1), the incorporation rate for all four fractions is sharply reduced (Fig. 1). Concomitantly, the¹⁴C content in the ethanol soluble fraction rises in three weeks from 80% to about 90%, to the debit of starch and cell wall. In contrast to these findings, incorporation into starch, cell wall, and protein under blue light (continuous light, 5600 erg · cm^–2 · sec^–1) rises with the irradiation time (Fig. 1).Starch content per cell rises under red light in spite of declining incorporation rates of¹⁴C into starch, whereas it is clearly reduced in blue light below the values for red light cells, notwithstanding the increased¹⁴C incorporation rates (Tables 1 and 2). Accumulation of starch under red light seems to be due, therefore, to an inhibition of starch degradation.Soluble carbohydrate content (fructose, glucose, sucrose, fructosans) stagnates in red light cells and is multiplied in blue light cells (Table 1).Blue light irradiation after red light pretreatment increases the intensity of photosynthesis. The assimilation rate rises after an irradiation period of eight hours, reaching, after 48 to 72 hours of irradiation, about five to six times the level at the end of the red light period.Obviously, this rise in the assimilation rate must be preceded by protein synthesis (Fig. 3).¹⁴C incorporation into starch and cell wall rises even before the increase in total fixation, too, and, in addition, degradation of starch accumulated during the red light pretreatment is initiated (Table 2). The main amount of¹⁴C in the soluble fraction falls to soluble carbohydrates. Irradiation with blue light after red light pretreatment results at first in a reduction of¹⁴C incorporation into soluble carbohydrates, followed by a sharp increase till the 72nd hour and another decline (Fig. 4).¹⁴C incorporation into fructose, sucrose, and glucose follows this pattern, whereas incorporation into inulin increases continuously till the 72nd hour (Fig. 5).The amount falling to the basic and the acid fractions is small, in contrast.¹⁴C incorporation into both fractions rises continuously in blue light (Fig. 4).Amino acids are formed in the cells even after a three-week period of red light irradiation. Furthermore, the amino acid content is highest at the end of the red light pretreatment (Table 3). Thus, the rate of protein synthesis in red light seems not to be limited by amino acid concentration.The cause for the reduction of photosynthesis under irradition with red light does not become obvious from the data obtained. Factors possibly playing a role in this process are discussed.

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Die Untersuchungen wurden durch Sachmittel der Deutschen Forschungsgesellschaft unterstützt. Frau I. MAASS danke ich für die sorgfältige Mithilfe bei den Versuchen.     

Untersuchung der Beziehung zwischen Pigmentzusammensetzung und CO2-Gaswechsel bei der Blaualge Anacystis nidulans

Summary Changes in culture conditions caused strong changes in the pigment composition in the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans. Under normal illumination (white light; 0.6·10³ erg/cm²·sec) the relation between the amounts of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin was 1:6.6. In a high light intensity (20.8·10³ erg/cm²·sec) the phycocyanin content was reduced and the relations thus changed to 1:1.9. Growing the algae in red light of high intensity (20·10³ erg/cm²·sec) increased the phycocyanin content; the chlorophyll a: phycocyanin relation was then 1:12.1.The action spectrum of apparent photosynthesis showed a minimum at 473 nm in all three cultures. The maximum of photosynthesis in low light cultures fell in the absorption region of phycocyanin at 621 nm. The action spectrum of the red light culture showed a reduced rate of photosynthesis in the same region. The strong light culture had an action spectrum similar to that of the red light culture with a maximum at 651 nm. The differing action spectrum of the low light culture may be a result of interruption in the energy transfer from phycocyanin to chlorophyll a within pigment system II.The transients of CO₂ exchange are independent of the pigment composition. Two different types of transients were found depending on the wavelength of the incident light. In red light of 550–650 nm a higher stationary rate was reached after a maximum of photosynthesis at the beginning of the illumination period. In blue and far red light a lower rate was found after the first maximum. Following a illumination period in blue or far red light a CO₂ evolution in the dark was observed. On the other hand, this CO₂ evolution was not found after illumination with red light. These effects are possiblt caused by a decarboxylation reaction (photorespiration) which occurs only in blue and far red light.     

Photosynthetic metabolism and cell-wall polysaccharide accumulation inGelidium sesquipedale (Clem.) Born. et Thur. under different light qualities

The influence of different light qualities on the photosynthetic rate, dark respiration, intracellular carbon and nitrogen content, and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and cell-wall polysaccharides during short-term incubation (5 h) of the red algaGelidium sesquipedale was investigated. The same photon irradiance of 50mol m^–2 s^–2 below the light saturation point of photosynthesis was applied in each case. Blue light stimulated photosynthesis, dark respiration and the accumulation of chlorophyll and biliproteins, phycoerythrin in particular. The accumulation of internal carbon and nitrogen was greater under blue light than under the other light qualities. In contrast, the percentage of cell-wall polysaccharides was higher in red light. The content of cell-wall polysaccharides decreased during the time of incubation in all light treatments except in red light. The action of a non-photosynthetic photoreceptor in the control of cell-wall polysaccharide synthesis is suggested because the accumulation of cell-wall polysaccharides was not correlated with net photosynthesis in contrast to what occurred with carbon, chlorophyll and phycoerythrin accumulation.     

Carotenoid transformations underlying the blue absorbance change in flashed leaves during the induction of oxygen evolution

The blue absorbance change occurring in flashed bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves when exposed to continuous light (first observed by Strasser; Strasser, R.J. (1973) Arch. Int. Physiol. Biochem. 81, 935–955) is caused by the conversion of the following xanthophylls: violaxanthine → antheraxanthine → zeaxanthine. This conclusion is derived from the simultaneous occurrence of both reactions: (a) In flashed leaves, blue absorbance change and xanthophyll conversion take place under strong (2 mW · cm^?2) but not under weak (0.02 mW · cm^?2) white light. (b) In chloroplasts isolated from flashed leaves, the blue absorbance change occurs in the dark under conditions that also induce the xanthophyll conversion. (c) Blue absorbance change and xanthophyll conversion are both inhibited by dithiothreitol. In addition, the light-induced blue absorbance change is reversed in the dark if aerobic conditions are maintained, i.e. under conditions that in normal leaves favor the reversal of the above reaction sequence.The significance of the xanthophyll conversion is discussed in relation to other phenomena occurring in flashed leaves after exposure to continuous illumination.     

Der Einfluß von Licht auf die Atmung von Chlorella bei gehemmter Photosynthese

Summary On illumination with blue light the O₂-uptake of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (211-8b) in which photosynthetic O₂-liberation has been suppressed by 10^-5M DCMU initially decreases, but in the course of 5–10 min increases over that in preceding darkness (Fig. 1). Whereas an enhancement of O₂-uptake is already induced by traces of blue radiation and saturated at about 1.5x10^-10einsteins cm^-2sec^-1, the initial inhibition of O₂-uptake can be measured only after application of more than 1.5×10^-10einsteins cm^-2sec^-1 (Fig. 2).The long induction time that passes before a steady enhancement in O₂-uptake is reached, the low energy requirement of the enhancement, and its spectral dependence with greatest efficiency of wavelengths around 455 nm and 375 nm and no effect of wavelengths beyond 520 nm (Fig. 3) resemble the corresponding data found earlier for an enhancement of respiration by light in a chlorophyll-free, carotenoidcontaining Chlorella mutant. It is therefore likely that the increased O₂-uptake in DCMU-poisoned cells of wild type Chlorella depends on an increase in respiration. The pigment involved is not known, but from the action spectrum it could be a flavin or a cis-carotenoid.In contrast to the increase the initial decrease in O₂-uptake does not show up in strong blue light only, but is also present in red light in which it stays constant throughout the period of measurement of 20 min (Fig. 4). Its intensity dependence is similar in blue and in red light; the lower efficiency of blue, which appears in Fig. 5, is at least partially due to the time interval of 5 min chosen for its determination: in these first 5 min after the beginning of blue illumination the slow increase in respiration already begins. The spectral dependence of the decrease in O₂-consumption in the red part of the visible spectrum yields greatest activity around 680 nm, a slow drop towards 525 nm and a steep one towards 743 nm (Fig. 6). From that and the absence of any after-effect of red light on the O₂-consumption in following darkness (Fig. 8), which might be expected if phytochrome action were involved, we think chlorophyll to be the pigment responsible for light-dependent inhibition of O₂-uptake. A mutant of Scenedesmus, Bishop's Nr. 11, which is unable to evolve photosynthetic oxygen, behaves just like DCMU-poisoned Chlorella (Fig. 7). We therefore consider the decreased O₂-consumption in the light to result from a partial inhibition of respiration and not from remaining photosynthesis unaffected by 10^-5M DCMU. As photosystem I still operates in Bishop's mutant 11 as well as in DCMU-poisoned Chlorella, illumination might lead to an accumulation of ATP by cyclic photophosphorylation and thus to a lowering of the cellular ADP level. This could result in a slowing down of glycolysis and consequently of respiratory O₂-uptake.     

GROWTH REGULATION BY ETHYLENE IN FERN GAMETOPHYTES. IV. INVOLVEMENT OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN OVERCOMING ETHYLENE INHIBITION OF SPORE GERMINATION

The inhibitory effects of ethylene on spore germination were investigated. In darkness spore germination was completely inhibited by 10 μ1 · 1⁻¹ ethylene. Light partially overcame this inhibition, and the effect of continuous irradiation with white fluorescent light saturated at about 450 μW · cm⁻². Monochromatic red, blue and far-red light were effective in overcoming ethylene inhibition, whereas green was not. Short periodic exposures to red or far-red light were not sufficient to overcome ethylene inhibition. This suggested that phytochrome was not involved. The photosynthetic inhibitor DCMU blocked the effect of light. Infrared gas analysis showed that photosynthesis saturated at about 450 μW · cm⁻² in white light. Red, blue and far-red light were more efficient photosynthetically than green light; DCMU blocked photosynthesis. Normalized curves of photosynthesis and germination vs. light intensity showed a similar dependence on light energy. It was concluded that light appears to overcome the inhibitory effects of ethylene through some process dependent on photosynthesis.     

Steady-state stomatal responses of C3 and C4 species to blue light fraction: Interactions with CO2 concentration

Blue light induced stomatal opening has been studied by applying a short pulse (~5 to 60 s) of blue light to a background of saturating photosynthetic red photons, but little is known about steady-state stomatal responses. Here we report stomatal responses to blue light at high and low CO₂ concentrations. Steady-state stomatal conductance (g_s) of C₃ plants increased asymptotically with increasing blue light to a maximum at 20% blue (120 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). This response was consistent from 200 to 800 μmol mol⁻¹ atmospheric CO₂ (C_a). In contrast, blue light induced only a transient stomatal opening (~5 min) in C₄ species above a C_a of 400 μmol mol⁻¹. Steady-state g_s of C₄ plants generally decreased with increasing blue intensity. The net photosynthetic rate of all species decreased above 20% blue because blue photons have lower quantum yield (moles carbon fixed per mole photons absorbed) than red photons. Our findings indicate that photosynthesis, rather than a blue light signal, plays a dominant role in stomatal regulation in C₄ species. Additionally, we found that blue light affected only stomata on the illuminated side of the leaf. Contrary to widely held belief, the blue light-induced stomatal opening minimally enhanced photosynthesis and consistently decreased water use efficiency.     

Wavelength effects on photosynthetic carbon metabolism in Chlorella

To study the wavelength-effect on photosynthetic carbon metabolism,¹⁴C-bicarbon-ate was added to Chlorella vulgaris 1 lh suspensionunder monochromatic blue (456 nm) and red (660 nm) light. Thelight intensities were so adjusted that the rates of ¹⁴CO₂ fixationunder blue and red light were practically equal. Analysis of¹⁴C-fixation products revealed that the rates of ¹⁴CO₂ incorporationinto sucrose and starch were greater under red light than underblue light, while blue light specifically enhanced ¹⁴CO₂ incorporationinto alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, malate, citrate,lipid fraction and alcohol-water insoluble non-carbohydratefraction. Pretreatment of the algal cells in phosphate mediumin the dark, which was essential for the blue light enhancementof PEP carboxylase activity, was not necessary to induce theabove wavelength effects. Superimposition of monochromatic bluelight at low intensity (450 erg.cm^–2.sec^–1) on thered light at saturating intensity caused a significant decreasein the rate of ¹⁴CO₂ incorporation into sucrose and increasein incorporation into alanine, lipid-fraction, aspartate andother related compounds, indicating that the path of carbonin photosynthesis is regulated by short wavelengdi light ofvery low intensity. Possible effects of wavelength regulationof photosynthetic carbon metabolism in algal cells are discussed. ¹ Part of this investigation was reported at the XII InternationalBotanical Congress, Leningrad, 1975 and the Japan-US CooperativeScience Seminar "Biological Solar Energy Conversion", Miami,1976. Requests for reprints should be addressed to S. Miyachi,Radioisotope Centre, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113,Japan. ⁴ Present address: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of PharmaceuticalSciences, Teikyo Univ., Sagamiko, Kanagawa, Japan. (Received August 6, 1977; )     

Eine fördernde Wirkung von Blaulicht auf die Säureproduktion anaerob gehaltener Chlorellen

Summary Under anaerobiosis the pH-value of the medium (0.002 M phosphate buffer) of a chlorophyll-free, carotenoid-containing mutant of Chlorella vulgaris (211-11h/20) drops slowly due to the excretion of acid fermentation end products. Blue light enhances this acidification of the medium (Figs. 1 and 2). Preliminary determinations of glycolic acid (color reaction with 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene) indicate that there is about twice as much of this compound in the medium of an anaerobic culture kept in blue light as there is in the medium of one kept in the dark.Addition of oxygen after a period of anaerobiosis in darkness or in blue light results in a greater O₂-uptake by the previously illuminated cells (Fig. 3), indicating aerobic consumption of the acids released under nitrogen. The latter is proven by the experiment shown in Fig. 4, in which parallel cell samples develop a greater O₂-consumption when suspended in the isolated media (phosphate buffer) of anaerobic cultures of the same organism instead of in fresh phosphate buffer, and a greater O₂-consumption when suspended in the medium of an illuminated rather than in that of a dark anaerobic culture.In experiments in which acid production is determined by measurement of the amount of 0.01 N NaOH required to keep the pH constant (Fig. 5), it can be shown that even traces of blue light can be effective in increasing the acidification of the medium of anaerobically kept cells; application of about 250 ergs cm^-2 sec^-1 of 455 nm yields half-saturation (Fig. 6). Wavelengths around 470 and 370 nm are most effective in increasing this acid excretion; there is a minimum of activity around 400 nm and no effect at all with yellow, red and far-red light (Fig. 7).From the similarity between these intensity and spectral dependences and those for a light stimulation in respiration of the same organism found earlier (Kowallik, 1967), and from the fact that the acids released into the medium under anaerobiosis can be respired by the algae, we feel that both these increases are based on the same light reaction. The action of blue light in bringing about an enhancement in respiration might then consist in furnishing additional substrate.     

Action spectrum for an enhancement of endogenous respiration by light in chlorella

The oxygen consumption of a starved chlorophyll-free, yellow mutant of Chlorella vulgaris is enhanced by very small amounts of blue light (λ 450 mμ); a saturation level is reached at about 500 ergs cm⁻² sec⁻¹. At that intensity the respiration is about 3 times greater than in the dark. An action spectrum for the enhancement of respiration shows 2 peaks around λ 450 and 375 mμ. Flavins and cis-carotenoids are discussed as the pigments involved.     

Effects of Light, Carbon Dioxide, and Temperature on Photosynthesis, Oxygen Inhibition of Photosynthesis, and Transpiration in Solanum tuberosum

Individual leaves of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. W729R), a C₃ plant, were subjected to various irradiances (400-700 nm), CO₂ levels, and temperatures in a controlled-environment chamber. As irradiance increased, stomatal and mesophyll resistance exerted a strong and some-what paralleled regulation of photosynthesis as both showed a similar decrease reaching a minimum at about 85 neinsteins·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ (about ½ of full sunlight). Also, there was a proportional hyperbolic increase in transpiration and photosynthesis with increasing irradiance up to 85 neinsteins·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹. These results contrast with many C₃ plants that have a near full opening of stomata at much less light than is required for saturation of photosynthesis.     

Interactions of blue light and inorganic carbon supply in the control of light-saturated photosynthesis in brown algae

Photosynthetic capacities of five species of brown algae in red light were found to be strongly limited by the inorganic carbon supply of natural sea water. Under these conditions, pH 8·2 and dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (DIG) of 2·1 mol m^?3, a short pulse of blue light was found to increase the subsequent rate of photosynthesis in saturating red light. The degree of blue light stimulation varied between species, ranging from an increase of over 200% of the original rate in Colpomenia peregrins to only 10% in Dictyota dichotoma. Increasing the DIG concentration of sea water by bicarbonate addition resulted in carbon saturation of photosynthesis in all five species. Blue light stimulation was greatly reduced at these higher DIG concentrations. The response in Laminaria digitata was examined in more detail by manipulation of pH and DIG to produce solutions with different concentrations of dissolved CO₂. At a CO₂ concentration typical of normal sea water (12·4 mmol m^?3), blue light treatment increased photosynthetic rate by approximately 50%. Blue light stimulation was increased to over 150% at CO₂ concentrations below that of sea water, whereas at concentrations above that of sea water, the effect was diminished. Therefore, the effect of blue light on photosynthetic capacity appears to involve an increase in the rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the plant.     

Regulation of CO2-fixation in Chlorella by light of varied wavelengths and intensities

1) The wavelength effects on ¹⁴CO₂-fixation by Chlorella cellswere studied, using monochromatic light of different light intensities. 2) Blue light (453 mµ) stimulated the incorporation of¹⁴C into aspartate, glutamate and malate. Red light (679 mµ),on the other hand, stimulated its incorporation into P-esters,free sugars and insoluble material. 3) The blue light effect was observed in the presence of CMUat concentrations completely suppressing ordinary photosyntheticCO₂-fixation. 4) The blue light effect in the presence of CMU was inducedat very low intensities. At 453 mµ, 300 erg cm^–2sec^–1 was sufficient for complete saturation. 5) Time courses of ¹⁴C-incorporation into individual compoundswere investigated. Irrespective of the wavelength of the illuminatinglight, the first stable CO₂-fixation product formed under weaklight (400–500 erg cm^–2 sec^–1) was citrulline.At higher light intensities (4,000–7,000 erg cm^–2sec^–1), PGA was the first stable CO₂-fixation product.The incorporation of ¹⁴C into citrulline was not inhibited byCMU. 6) Experimental results indicate that both blue light-inducedincorporation of ¹⁴C into amino and organic acids and the incorporationof ¹⁴C into citrulline induced by low intensity light are operatedby a mechanism(s) independent of ordinary photosynthetic CO₂-fixation.Possible effects of light regulating the carbon metabolism inalgal cells are discussed. (Received July 24, 1969; )