Light effects on cell development and secondary metabolism in Monascus

In nature, light is one of most crucial environmental signals for developmental and physiological processes in various organisms, including filamentous fungi. We have found that both red light and blue light affect development in Monascus, influencing the processes of mycelium and spore formation, and the production of secondary metabolites such as -aminobutyric acid, red pigments, monacolin K and citrinin. Additionally, we observed that the wavelength of light affects these developmental and physiological processes in different ways. These findings suggest that Monascus possesses a system for differential light response and regulation.     

Diel vertical migration thresholds of Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae)

Light and nutrient availability change throughout dinoflagellate diel vertical migration (DVM) and/or with sub-population location in the water column along the west Florida shelf. Typically, the vertical depth of the shelf is greater than the distance a sub-population can vertically migrate during a diel cycle, limiting the ability of a sub-population to photosynthetically fix carbon toward the surface and access nutrients sub-surface. This project investigated changes of Karenia brevis (C.C. Davis) G. Hansen et Moestrup intracellular carbon, nitrogen, internal nitrate (iNO₃), free amino acid (FAA), and total lipid concentrations in high-light, nitrate-replete (960 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹, 80 μM NO₃), and high-light, nitrate-reduced (960 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹, <5 μM NO₃) mesocosms. The nitrate-reduced mesocosm had a slowed cell division rate when compared to the nitrate-replete mesocosm. Minimum intracellular carbon, nitrogen, iNO₃, FAA, and total lipid concentrations during the largest surface sub-population aggregations led to the conclusion that daughter cells resulting from cell division received unequal shares of the parental resources and that this inequality influenced migration behavior. Nutrient reduced daughter cells were more strongly influenced by light and phototaxis for carbon production than their replete same cell division sister cells during vertical migration thus rapidly increasing the fulfillment of constituents through photosynthesis. Vertical migration was consistent with an optimization scheme based on threshold limits through utilization or formation of photosynthate. We propose a simplified conceptual model describing how K. brevis is transported along the benthos of the west Florida shelf from off-shore to on-shore. Dynamic carbon thresholds are also suggested for future DVM modeling efforts on K. brevis populations transported between nitrogen replete and nitrogen reduced environmental conditions.     

Ovigerity,selective predation,and variable diel vertical migration in Euchaeta elongata (Copepoda: Calanoida)

Summary We present a statistical analysis of a previously published (Yen, 1983) but heretofore unanalyzed data set on the vertical distributions and diel vertical migration (DVM) of adult females of the marine planktonic copepod Euchaeta elongata in Dabob Bay, Washington, USA. Non-ovigerous females were strongly migratory on all four dates sampled, residing between 75–175 m during the day and at shallower depths during the night, commonly entering the upper 50 m of the water column. In contrast, ovigerous females were non-migratory or weakly migratory, largely remaining between 100–175 m both day and night, and entering the upper 50 m of the water column only rarely. Thus non-ovigerous females always migrated much more strongly, as measured by both amplitude of migration and the proportion of animals migrating, than did ovigerous females. These results led us to hypothesize that differential susceptibility to visually orienting predators was the cause of these differences in DVM behavior in female E. elongata, and we subsequently undertook an experimental study of the feeding selectivity of the copepod's natural predator, Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi). Pacific herring exhibited a highly significant preference for ovigerous over nonovigerous adult female E. elongata. The demographic consequences of variable DVM in adult female E. elongata were investigated by way of life table analyses. Results indicated that under conditions of thermal stratification of the water column there is a distinct demographic disadvantage (reduced rate of realized population growth) incurred by non-migratory or weakly migratory ovigerous females due to delayed egg development at cooler subsurface temperatures. We conclude that ovigerous female E. elongata remain at depth both day and night to avoid visually orienting predators, and that such behavior must afford the copepod a demographic advantage of no less than a 26% reduction in adult mortality to offset the demographic cost of delayed egg development.     

The effect of different zooplankton grazing patterns resulting from diel vertical migration on phytoplankton growth and composition: a laboratory experiment

Diel vertical migration (DVM) of herbivorous zooplankton is a widespread behavioural phenomenon in freshwater ecosystems. So far only little attention has been paid to the impact of DVM on the phytoplankton community in the epilimnion. Some theoretical models predict that algal population growth in the epilimnion should depend on the herbivores migration and grazing patterns: even if migrating zooplankton consume the same total amount of algae per day in the epilimnion as non-migrating zooplankton, nocturnal grazing should result in enhanced algal growth and favour algal species with high intrinsic growth rates over species with lower intrinsic growth rates. To test these hypotheses we performed experiments in which several algal species were confronted with different feeding regimes of Daphnia. In the experiments algal growth did not only depend on the absolute time of grazing but was comparatively higher when grazing took place only during the night, even when the grazing pressure was the same. Furthermore, algal species with higher intrinsic growth rates had higher advantages when being grazed upon only discontinuously during the night than algal species with a smaller intrinsic growth rate. The grazing pattern itself was an important factor for relative algal performance.     

油茶叶片捕光色素分子内禀特性和光能利用效率对光照强度的响应北大核心CSCD

以油茶品种‘长林4号’2年生幼苗为材料,在人工气候箱内设置盆栽实验,研究不同光照强度(10%、40%、70%光照和全光照)对油茶光能利用特性的影响。结果显示:(1)油茶叶片净光合速率(P_(n))、电子传递效率(ETR)、光补偿点(I_(c))、CO_(2)补偿点(Γ)、饱和光强(I_(sat))、饱和胞间CO_(2)浓度(C_(isat))、光呼吸速率(R_(p))、暗呼吸速率(R_(d))以及在叶片水平与植株水平上的光能利用效率均随光照强度的增强而提高。(2)在弱光条件下,油茶叶片光化学淬灭系数(qP)提高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)降低,所吸收的光能被更多地分配向光化学耗散和过剩激发能,使_(PSⅡ)光化学效率(F_(v)/F_(m)、Φ_(PSⅡ))提高。(3)油茶通过提高叶片叶绿素含量、捕光色素分子数(N_(0))和本征光能吸收截面(σ_(ik))来增强对光的捕获能力,但随光照强度降低,其捕光色素分子的有效光能吸收截面(σ_(ik)')减小,捕光色素分子处于最低激发态的最小平均寿命(τ_(min))变长,累积在最低激发态的天线色素分子数(N_(k))增多。研究表明,在低光照强度环境下,电子在捕光色素分子之间的传递和光合电子流的产生受到限制,油茶叶片光能捕获与光合电子传递效率无法同时提高,最终导致其光合碳同化能力和光能利用效率下降。     

Investigation of electrophysiological responses of Neurospora crassa to blue light

The influence of light in a spectrum range of 350–500 nm 20 W m^-2 (20,000 erg · cm^-2 · s^-1) has been studied in the mycelial cells of Neurospora crassa. Light-induced input resistance and membrane potential changes can be measured by means of intracellular microelectrodes. The value of the input resistance reached maximum after a 2–5 min illumination. The maximum hyperpolarization of the cell membrane reaching 30–40 mV was observed after 20–25 min illumination, when the input resistance values did not differ significantly in the illuminated and non-illuminated cells.     

A single positive phototropic response induced with pulsed light in hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings

The fluence-response curves were measured for phototropic curvature in response to unilateral 450-nm light in hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. These show the classical first positive (peak curvature of 9–10°), indifferent and second positive phototropic response. Reciprocity is valid only for the first positive response; the fluence requirements for its induction are similar to those for induction of the first positive phototropic response of coleoptiles. Large angles of curvature also may be induced by multiple pulses if the individual pulses are separated by an optimum dark period of about 15 min. The curvature induced by a given fluence, whether applied in continuous irradiation or a sequence of pulses, is a linear function of the duration of continuous irradiation or the duration between first and last pulse, respectively. For a given fluence applied in a sequence of pulses, reciprocity remains valid provided the duration between first and last exposure is kept constant. When the duration between first and last pulse is sufficiently long, the fluence required for high phototropic curvature falls in the first positive fluence range. These results are interpreted to indicate the existence of a kinetic limitation in the transduction sequence, and a relatively short lifetime of an initial physiologically active photoproduct. The apparent existence of more than one positive response may have resulted from these characteristics of the transduction sequence.     

Salinity tolerance of the gemmules of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy) and the inhibition of germination by various salts

We report results of a field test of the predator avoidance hypothesis as an explanation of the adaptive significance of diel vertical migration in zooplankton. We determined the vertical distribution and diel migration of the planktonic copepod Acartia hudsonica, concurrently with the abundance of pelagic fish, transparency and thermal stratification of the water column, on six cruises over a one year period in a temperate marine lagoon (Jakles Lagoon, San Juan Island, Washington, USA). Striking seasonal variability was observed in all biological and environmental variables. Linear regressions of the strength of diel vertical migration in A. hudsonica on these environmental variables resulted in only one statistically significant relationship, that between copepod diel vertical migration and predator abundance. These results, together with those of previous studies, point to diel vertical migration as a widespread behavioral response of planktonic prey to the presence of their predators.     

米槁幼苗光合作用及光响应曲线模拟对干旱胁迫的响应

为阐明米槁光合作用对干旱胁迫的响应规律与适应机制,以一年生米槁幼苗为研究对象,进行盆栽试验研究设置3种不同土壤含水量梯度,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用系统测定干旱胁迫下的光合生理指标及光响应过程,光响应曲线模拟采用直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型、指数模型和直角双曲线修正模型进行拟合并对比,以期选出适用于干旱环境下的光响应模型。结果表明(1)光响应曲线模型对干旱胁迫下米槁幼苗的光合作用拟合中直角双曲线、非直角双曲线和指数模型适用于低光合有效辐射(PAR),但拟合光响应参数与实测值相差大,只有直角双曲线修正模型能够很好的拟合各个处理且拟合参数比较精确米槁幼苗。(2)光合作用的表观量子效率(Φ)小于一般植物的光合量子效率,则其对弱光的光能利用效率相对较低。(3)在较强的光合有效辐射条件下,严重干旱胁迫下的米槁净光合速率P_n显著下降,出现了明显的光抑制现象;中度胁迫下净光合速率(P_n)、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光补偿点(LSP)最大,米槁具有较宽的抗旱适应范围,有一定的抗旱性;严重胁迫下P_n、P_(nmax)、LSP降低,蒸腾速率(T_r)与气孔导度(G_s)下降幅度更大,但仍具有较高的水分利用效率(WUE),米槁在严重的干旱胁迫下光合机构受到一定的损伤,但自身可以通过生理调节来积极适应不良环境,减少光合机构伤害。(4)综合来看,在人工管理或种植米槁时,为了适应米槁生长发育,建议土壤含水量保持在23.05%到14.92%之间。     

The Role of Malate Dehydrogenase Isoforms in the Regulation of Anabolic and Catabolic Processes in the Colorless Sulfur Bacterium Beggiatoa leptomitiformis D-402

The functional role of tetrameric and dimeric isoforms of malate dehydrogenase in the carbon metabolism of the colorless sulfur bacterium Beggiatoa leptomitiformis, strain D-402, was studied. This strain can grow both lithotrophically and organotrophically. By use of inhibition analysis, the tetrameric isoenzyme was shown to operate in the glyoxylate cycle and the dimeric form was found to be involved in the TCA cycle. The dynamics of the dimeric isoenzyme conversion to the tetrameric isoform was found to be determined by the rate of thiosulfate oxidation. The regulation of the carbon metabolism in Beggiatoa leptomitiformis is supposed to be accomplished by means of structural and functional changes in the protein molecule of malate dehydrogenase.     

Microbiology and chemistry of acid lakes in Florida: II. Seasonal relationships

The microstratification of the metalimnetic community in Lake Cisó was followed through the diel cycle by means of a fine sampler with syringes spaced at 3 cm intervals. Populations were sharply stratified. The uppermost part of the metalimnion was occupied by the rotifer Anuraeopsis fissa. Next, layers of the ciliate Coleps hirtus and the flagellate Cryptomonas phaseolus were found. Finally, purple sulfur bacteria appeared at the bottom part of the metalimnion. Although in lower abundances, characteristic populations of ciliates were found at each depth: Strombidium inhabited zones with oxygen, while Plagiopyla and Metopus lived at depths with sulfide. Several members of the community moved vertically about 20 cm during the diel cycle. Cryptomonas performed larger vertical migrations of 40 cm. This organism concentrated at the upper metalimnion during the day, and dispersed through the lower metalimnion during the night. At night, Cryptomonas lived in an environment without oxygen and with sulfide concentrations up to 0.6 mM.     

Diel vertical migration and feeding rhythm of Daphnia longispina and Bosmina corexoni in Lake Toya, Hokkaido, Japan

Diel vertical migration (DVM) and diel feeding rhythm of two cladocerans, Daphnia longispina and Bosmina coregoni were investigated at the pelagic area of Lake Toya (Hokkaido, Japan) in May, August and October 1992. Both species performed nocturnal DVM. The amplitude of DVM, however, became smaller from May to October. Such seasonal variations in DVM could not be explained by light penetration and/or water temperature. The two species had a clear feeding rhythm; they fed at night in May and October but also after sunrise in August. These feeding rhythms appeared to be related to the light-dark cycle, but were not necessarily associated with their DVM. We suggest that the diel feeding rhythm and DVM are regulated independently by light cues.     

Two distinct blue-light responses regulate the levels of transcripts of specific nuclear-coded genes in pea

Fluence-response characteristics for bluelight(BL)-mediated changes in the steady-state levels ofCab-, pEA215 and pEA207-RNA in red-light(RL) grown pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) seedlings indicate the existence of two BL responses: a blue-lowfluence (BLF) response, causing an increase inCab- and pEA215-RNA, and a blue-high-fluence (BHF) response, causing a return to control levels forCab- and pEA215-RNA and a decrease in pEA207-RNA levels (Warpeha and Kaufman, 1989, Plant Physiol.,91, 1030–1035). We now show that under dark growth conditions, only the BLF response is apparent;Cab- and pEA215-RNA increase at all fluences tested, whereas pEA207-RNA levels are unaltered over the range of BL fluence tested. The treatment of dark-grown seedlings with RL immediately prior to BHF irradiation does not elicit the BHF response forCab-, pEA215 and pEA207-RNA, indicating that the role of growth in RL is to enable the seedling to reach a particular developmental state, rather than ensuring the presence of active phytochrome at the time of BL-irradiation. The apical bud of RL-grown seedlings has only the BLF response;Cab-RNA levels increase while pEA207-RNA exhibits no change at any of the fluences tested. The developing leaves of the fourth node show the BHF response; bothCab- and pEA207-RNA decrease following treatment with high-fluence BL. These data also indicate the necessity for reaching a specific developmental state before the BHF response can be activated. This research was supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Competitive Grants Office, grant No. 86CRCR12228 to L.S.K. K.M.F.W. gratefully acknowledges a University of Illinois at Chicago Laboratory for Molecular Biology Fellowship.     

Discovery of signaling effect of UV-B/C light in the extended UV-A/blue-type action spectra for step-down and step-up photophobic responses in the unicellular flagellate algaEuglena gracilis

Summary Cultures of unicellular algal flagellateEuglena gracilis grown in different conditions were subjected to action spectroscopy for step-down and step-up photophobic responses, respectively. The spectral region was extended into the UV-B/C as well as in the UV-A and visible regions with the Okazaki Large Spectrograph as the monochromatic light source. The photophobic responses of the cells were measured with an individual-cell assay method with the aid of a computerized video motion analyzer. In the UV-A and visible regions, the shapes of the action spectra were the so-called UV-A/blue type. In the newly studied UV-B/C region, new action peaks were found at 270 nm for the step-down response and at 280 nm for the step-up one. The absorption spectrum of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) appeared to fit the action spectrum for the step-up response, whereas the shape of the step-down action spectrum, which has a UV-A peak (at 370 nm) higher than the blue peak (at 450 nm), appeared to be mimicked by the absorption spectrum of a mixed solution of 6-biopterin and FAD. These observations might also account for the fact that the UV-B/C peak wavelength at 270 nm of the action spectrum for the step-down response is shorter by 10 nm than the action spectrum for the step-up response at 280 nm.Abbreviations FAD flavin adenine dinucleotide - FWHM spectral full width at half maximum - NIBB National Institute for Basic Biology - OLS Okazaki Large Spectrograph - PFB paraflagellar body - UV-A ultraviolet light of spectral region between 320 and 400 nm - UV-B/C ultraviolet light of spectral region between 190 and 320 nm     

Phototactic responses in the gametes of the brown alga,Ectocarpus siliculosus

The action spectrum of phototaxis was determined and the photoreceptive mechanism was studied in Ectocarpus gametes (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae) using a computerized cell-tracking system. The fine structures of the stigma and the flagellar swelling were analyzed, and the reflective function of the stigma was demonstrated for the first time. Under monochromatic light stimulation, Ectocarpus gametes show mainly positive phototaxis between 370 nm and 520 nm. The action spectrum has a minor peak near 380 nm, and two major peaks at 430 nm and 450 nm or 460 nm and a shoulder at 470 nm adjoining a remarkable depression near 440 nm. Under unilateral stroboscopic illumination with more than four pulses per second, the gametes show clear phototaxis. However, the response is disturbed at lower frequencies. Addition of methyl cellulose, which increases the viscosity of the medium and slows down gamete rotation, decreases the threshold frequency. These results indicate that rotation of the gamete plays an essential role in the photoreceptive mechanism. Under equal intensities of bilateral illumination at an angle of 90°, most of the gametes swim on the resultant between the two light beams. This response is disturbed when the angle of the two light beams is as large as 120°. Observations by transmission electron microscopy show that the flagellar swelling fits precisely into a concave depression of the chloroplast at the central region of the stigma. Electron-dense material is present in that sector of the flagellar swelling which faces away from the stigma. Epifluorescence microscopy without a barrier filter and epipolarization microscopy reveal that stigmata reflect blue light. A hypothesis is formulated which discusses the possibility that the reflected light is focused onto the flagellar swelling.We are grateful to Jochen Schäfer and Elke Reinecke for their technical assistance and Dr. G. Konerman for access to epipolarization microscopy. We are also grateful to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a Research Fellowship to H.K. and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (University of Freiburg, Freiburg, FRG) for financial aid to D.-P.H.To whom correspondence should be addressed.     

Action spectra of the light-growth response in three behavioral mutants of Phycomyces

Null-point action spectra of the light-growth response were measured for three mutants of Phycomyces blakesleeanus (Burgeff) and compared with the action spectrum of the wild type (WT). The action spectrum for L150, a recently isolated night-blind mutant, differs from the WT spectrum. The L150 action spectrum has a depression near 450 nm and small alterations in its long-wavelength cutoff, the same spectral regions where its photogravitropism action spectrum is altered. This indicates that the affected gene product influences both phototropism and the light-growth response. For L85, a hypertropic (madH) mutant, the light-growth-response action spectrum is very similar to that of WT even though the photogravitropism action spectrum of L85 has been shown previously to be altered in the near-UV region. The affected gene product in this mutant appears to affect phototropic transduction but not light-growth-response transduction. The action spectrum of C110, a stiff (madE) mutant, differs significantly from the WT spectrum near 500 nm, the same spectral region where sporangiophores of madE mutants have been shown to have small alterations in second-derivative absorption spectra. This indicates that the madE gene product may be physically associated with a photoreceptor complex, as predicted by system-analysis studies.Abbreviations SE standard error of the mean - UV ultraviolet light - Wt wild type I dedicated to Masaki Furuya on the occasion of his 65th birthdayWe thank H. Reiner Schaefer for performing some of the experiments and for help in data analysis, David Durant for computer programming, and Benjamin Horwitz for helpful discussions. This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (GM29707) to E.D. Lipson.     

Action spectra of the light-growth response of Phycomyces

The light-growth response of Phycomyces blakesleeanus (Burgeff) is a transient change in elongation rate of the sporangiophore caused by a change in light intensity. Previous investigators have found that the light-growth response has many features in common with phototropism; the major difference is that only the light-growth response is adaptive. In order to better understand the light-growth response and its relationship to phototropism, we have developed a novel experimental protocol for determining light-growth-response action spectra and have examined the effect of the reference wavelength and intensity on the shape of the action spectrum. The null-point action spectrum obtained with broadband-blue reference light has a small peak near 400 nm, a flat region from 430 nm to 470 nm, and an approximately linear decline in the logarithm of relative effectiveness above 490 nm. The shape of the action spectrum is different when 450-nm reference light is used, as has been shown previously for the phototropic-balance action spectrum. However, the action spectrum of the light-growth response differs from that for phototropic balance, even when the same reference light (450 nm) is used. Moreover, for the light-growth response, the relative effectiveness of 383-nm light decreases as the intensity of the 450-nm reference light increases; this trend is the opposite of that previously found for phototropic balance. The dependence of the lightgrowth-response action spectrum on the reference wavelength, its difference from the phototropic-balance action spectrum, and the reference-intensity dependence of the relative effectiveness at 383 nm may be attributable to dichroic effects of the oriented photoreceptor(s), and to transduction processes that are unique to the light-growth response.I dedicated to Masaki Furuya on the occasion of his 65th birthdayThis work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (GM29707) to E.D. Lipson. Anuradha Palit, Promod Pratap, and Benjamin Horwitz participated in the early phases of this work. We thank Leonid Fukshansky and Benjamin Horwitz for helpful discussions, David Durant for computer programming, and Steven Block for providing us with a C-language program of Reinsch's procedure for cubic spline interpolation. One of us (R.S.) gratefully acknowledges a junior faculty fellowship leave from the Department of Physics at Yale University.     

Phototropic fluence-response relations for Avena coleoptiles on a clinostat

Phototropism of Avena sativa L. has been characterized using a clinostat to negate the gravitropic response. The kinetics for development of curvature was measured following induction by a single pulse of blue light (BL), five pulses of BL at 20-min intervals, and this same pulsed-light regime following a 2-h red light (RL) pre-irradiation. A final curvature of about 14° is expressed within 180 min following the single pulse; a final curvature of about 62° in about 240 min following five pulses without pre-irradiation; and a curvature of over 125° in 360 min following five pulses after the RL pre-irradiation. For seedlings not pre-irradiated, the final curvature to five pulses of BL at a total fluence of 9.4 pmol·cm^-2 increases with time of darkness between pulses up to 15 min; with seedlings pre-irradiated with RL, curvature increased more slowly with time of darkness between pulses to a maximum at 35 min. The final curvature induced by a constant fluence of 9.4 pmol·cm^-2 increases linearly with time between the first pulse and last pulse of a five-pulse sequence. The curvature induced by a single BL pulse with a 5-min RL co-irradiation increases with fluence to a maximum of about 60° at about 10 pmol·cm^-2, and then decreases to 0° at about 200 pmol·cm^-2. Curvature induced by five BL pulses following a 2-h RL pre-irradiation increased with fluence from a threshold of about 0.05 pmol·cm^-2 to a maximum of 90° at about 10 pmol·cm^-2, and then gradually decreased with fluence to 50° at 1 000 pmol·cm^-2. Based on these data, it is concluded that the initial photoproduct formed by a BL pulse has a limited lifetime, that there is a kinetic limitation downstream of the photoreceptor pigment for phototropism, and that the additivive effect of pulsed BL is distinct from the potentiating effect of RL on phototropism. Thus, any degree of curvature from 0° to over 90° may be induced by a fluence in the ascending arm of what is traditionally called the first positive phototropic response.Abbreviations BL blue light - RL red light     

Relationship of photocarotenogenesis to other behavioural and regulatory responses inPhycomyces

The effect of light on carotene accumulation was studied by analyzing the -carotene content of 4--old mycelia continuously exposed to illumination of different intensities. The wild-type, mutants defective in phototropism, mutants defective in carotene regulation, and newpic mutants specifically defective for photocarotenogenesis were examined. The results indicate that photocarotenogenesis depends on a single sensory pathway which shares its earlier steps (governed by genesmadA andmadB) with the sensory pathway for phototropism. It shares its later steps (probably governed by genescarA andpicB) with one of the pathways for carotene regulation, and includes at least one specific step (governed by genepicA) not known to be involved in other responses.     

Strong-light response of Micrasterias thomasiana Archer

Prostrate cells of Micrasterias thomasiana Archer were irradiated from above with intensive blue light. Many of the cells reacted by rising to a profile position. During a period of 15 to 90 min the response is linearly dependent on the duration of irradiation, inferred from the number of rising cells. In a range from 10 to 30 mol m^-2 s^-1 (equalling 2.7–8.0 W m^-2 at a wavelength of 450 nm) and for an irradiation time of 30 min, the rising reaction was linearly dependent on the quantum flux density. Choosing 30 min irradiation time and a quantum flux density of 30 mol m^-2 s^-1, the reactive number of rising cells was employed in establishing an action spectrum. As a result of this, a flavin is postulated as the light-percepting pigment in the reaction, whereas chlorophylls do not appear to be involved. The rising reaction can be distinguished from other light-induced movements as a strong-light response, resembling in this respect the movement of chloroplasts within cells. The different sensitivity of individual cells and the importance of this strong-light response for the algal cells is discussed.