CORRELATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE BRAIN WITH METABOLIC PARAMETERS—III*

1. The residual protein content per unit DNA of the tissue rises markedly in occipital cortex, cerebral cortex, tectum and hippocampus of the developing rabbits in days following the opening of the eyes. The change is much less marked in cerebellar cortex during this period. 2. Prior blinding of the animals diminishes significantly the rise in proteins of the occipital cortex. The effect of blinding on the expected rise in proteins of other areas is not significant. 3. Exposure of adult animals to light stimulates the incorporation of dl -[1-¹⁴C]- valine and [U-¹⁴C]glucose into proteins of the occipital cortex as compared to animals kept in the dark room.     

INTERSPECIES CORRELATIONS OF CEREBRAL CORTICAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION, ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY AND CHLORIDE CONTENT: STUDIES ON THE BRAINS OF THE FIN WHALE (BAAENOPTERA PHYSALUS) AND THE SPERM WHALE (PHYSETER CATODON)

Abstract— Previously reported interspecies correlations of cerebral cortical oxygen consumption (as a function of average species body weight) and of cerebral cortical chloride content and acetylcholinesterase activity (as functions of average species brain weight) were confirmed by selected repetitions of the determinations and were further validated by inclusion of data from samples of cerebral cortex of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and the sperm whale (Physeter catodon). Despite the fact that the samples of whale brain were obtained at 15–22 h after death and were preserved only by simply freezing on dry ice, no evidence of significant postmortem autolysis was obtained by examination of gangliosides, myelin basic proteins, acidic and amide residues of total isolated proteins, and lipid composition of cerebral cortical samples. The chloride content of whale cerebral cortex was 65.1 (± 12) μequiv./g, and the activity of acetylcholinesterase was 0.78 (± 0.28) μmol of acetylthiocholine hydrolysed min^-1 g^-1, with no differences in these values between the two species. The two interspecies correlations yielded regression curves with calculated slopes for chloride of +9.07 (± 0.37) and for acetylcholinesterase of -0–204 (± 0.006), each correlating significantly as functions of species brain weight at P < 0.001. Under optimal conditions of slow freezing and thawing of cerebral cortical slices equilibrated with 15 % (v/v) glycerol, oxygen consumption by the slices was only 50 per cent of the rate exhibited by fresh (unfrozen) slices. Despite the suboptimal conditions of freezing and thawing of the large (> 200 g) samples of whale (and beef) brain, subsequently prepared slices of whale cerebral cortex respired at a rate of 20.6 (± 1.8) μmol of O₂ taken up h^-1 g^-1, also 50 per cent of the value of 40.7 predicted by extrapolation for fresh (unfrozen) slices. When plotted as a function of species body weight, the data for oxygen consumption by previously frozen cortical slices paralleled the regression curve for fresh slices previously characterized by the expression, R = 5.4 W^-0.1. The data obtained for the two species of great whales (brain weights, 6800–7800 g; body weights, 3–53 ± 10⁴ kg) served to ‘anchor’ with more certainty the upper limits of the three interspecies correlations re-examined here and thus provided a better basis for predicting by extrapolation normal values for human cerebral cortex.     

PRECURSOR INCORPORATION INTO CORTICAL PROTEIN DURING FIRST EXPOSURE OF RATS TO LIGHT; CELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF EFFECTS

—The rate of incorporation of [³H]lysine into acid-insoluble material in vivo was determined in neurons and neuropil from the visual cortex of dark-reared rats, littermates exposed to the light for varying lengths of time and normally reared controls. Following onset of light exposure, the elevation of incorporation was confined to the neuronal fraction. On continuous exposure for up to 96 h, the level of incorporation in the neuronal fraction dropped to that of the dark control value. In dark-reared animals, the rate of incorporation in the neuronal fraction was 68 per cent of that in neuropil, in normals it was 150 per cent. On onset of exposure, the ratio in light exposed animals approached the normal level, but on prolonged continuous exposure both light exposed and normal ratios dropped to the dark control value once more. This drop did not occur if the animals were exposed to a 12 h light/dark cycle. These results are taken as suggesting that part of the protein synthesis of the visual cortex is functionally controlled, and that neuronal and neuropil fractions show a metabolic relationship which can be affected by environmental changes. The failure to show a depression of incorporation in prolonged exposure, by comparison with earlier results under somewhat different behavioural conditions, was taken as further evidence for the ‘state-dependence’ of a number of brain biochemical parameters.     

Influence of lithium hydroxybutyrate on the electroencephalographic effects of fenamin

Lithium hydroxybutyrate (10 mg/kg) prevents the amphetamine-induced EEG arousal and amplitude frequency alterations in the motor and visual cortex, posterior hypothalamus, midbrain reticular formation, and caudate nucleus but potentiates the action of the psychostimulant on the EEG of the hippocamp and amygdala. The response to the light flickering rhythm in the visual cortex remains within initial upon concurrent administration of both the drugs.     

Conscious awareness of flicker in humans involves frontal and parietal cortex

Even when confined to the same spatial location, flickering and steady light evoke very different conscious experiences because of their distinct temporal patterns. The neural basis of such differences in subjective experience remains uncertain . Here, we used functional MRI in humans to examine the neural structures involved in awareness of flicker. Participants viewed a single point source of light that flickered at the critical flicker fusion (CFF) threshold, where the same stimulus is sometimes perceived as flickering and sometimes as steady (fused) . We were thus able to compare brain activity for conscious percepts that differed qualitatively (flickering or fused) but were evoked by identical physical stimuli. Greater brain activation was observed on flicker (versus fused) trials in regions of frontal and parietal cortex previously associated with visual awareness in tasks that did not require detection of temporal patterns . In contrast, greater activation was observed on fused (versus flicker) trials in occipital extrastriate cortex. Our findings indicate that activity of higher-level cortical areas is important for awareness of temporally distinct visual events in the context of a nonspatial task, and they thus suggest that frontal and parietal regions may play a general role in visual awareness.     

On the synchrony of steady state visual evoked potentials and oscillatory burst events

In this paper, we investigate the large-scale synchrony of EEG oscillatory bursts, during stimulation by a flickering square of light. Whereas most studies focus on averaged raw EEG responses, this study considers oscillatory events within EEG of single trials, which leads to various new insights. We recorded EEG signals before, during and after stimulation by a flickering square of light in medium (16 Hz) and high frequency (32 Hz) ranges. Similar oscillatory bursts, to those observed in spontaneous EEG, can be found in single-trial synchrony of steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). These bursts are extracted from the EEG of single trials using bump modeling. Stochastic event synchrony method is applied to those events, which quantifies synchronies of oscillatory bursts on a large-scale basis. Those oscillatory patterns have a significantly higher degree of co-occurrence during SSVEP, uncorrelated with ongoing signal synchrony. It means that EEG oscillatory patterns are presumably an outcome of brain activity, rather than a mere side effect of ongoing EEG. They undergo a consistent reorganization during visual stimulation, preferentially along the visual pathway, depending on magno or parvo stimulations. Flickering stimuli may induce some cognitive side-effects depending on the stimulation frequency.

GLYCOGEN AND GLYCOGEN PHOSPHORYLASE IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX OF MICE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF METHIONINE SULPHOXIMINE

Abstract— Glucose and glycogen levels in the mouse cerebral cortex in vivo were studied after recovery from methionine sulphoximine seizures. The animals appeared normal 24 h after methionine sulphoximine administration but both glucose and glycogen still persisted at higher levels 72 h after injection (by 64 and 275 per cent, respectively). When seizures were prevented by methionine, the increase in glucose and glycogen at the longer time intervals was significantly smaller than in animals treated with methionine sulphoximine only; glucose reached normal values at 48 or 72 h; the accumulation of glycogen was reduced by about three to five times, but after 72 h the levels were still significantly higher than in control animals (67 or 32 per cent increase, depending on the administered dose of methionine). In contrast to the considerable accumulation of glycogen after administration of methionine sulphoximine in vivo, it had no effect on the level of glycogen in brain cortex slices in vitro. After 3 h incubation in the absence of methionine sulphoximine, glycogen was resynthesized to a level of about 4 μmol/g wet tissue and this value was not significantly affected by the presence of various concentrations of methionine sulphoximine in the incubation medium (10^-5 to 10^-2 M). The total (a+b forms) phosphorylase activity of mouse cerebral cortex in vivo after methionine sulphoximine administration was not affected. The fraction of active phosphorylase was reduced by about 50 per cent at the time of seizures. When seizures were prevented by methionine, the decrease in active phosphorylase was also completely prevented. In the preconvulsive period (1-2 h) and after recovery from the seizures (48 h after methionine sulphoximine administration) active phosphorylase was normal. The possible mechanisms involved in the increased accumulation of glycogen after methionine sulphoximine administration are discussed.     

An in vivo microdialysis study of light/dark-modulation of vitreal dopamine release in zebrafish

Dopamine (DA) is an important neuromodulator in the visual system. The release of DA in the retina largely depends on environmental lighting conditions. Most previous studies have assessed the effect of illumination on retinal DA or its metabolites using homogenates or in vitro preparations. This study was designed to investigate the effect of transitions between lighting conditions—from dark to steady or flickering light and vice versa—on retinal DA release in zebrafish using in vivo microdialysis. The transition from dark to flickering light increased DA release, whereas the transition from flickering light to dark decreased it. This latter effect depended on time of day within the light period, e.g., it was strongest in the late afternoon. When using steady light, none of these effects were seen. Our study also demonstrates that in vivo microdialysis can successfully be applied to the investigation of retinal DA release in zebrafish.     

LACK OF CALBINDIN-D28K ALTERS RESPONSE OF THE MURINE CIRCADIAN CLOCK TO LIGHT

A strong stimulus adjusting the circadian clock to the prevailing light-dark cycle is light. However, the circadian clock is reset by light only at specific times of the day. The mechanisms mediating such gating of light input to the CNS are not well understood. There is evidence that Ca²⁺ ions play an important role in intracellular signaling mechanisms, including signaling cascades stimulated by light. Therefore, Ca²⁺ is hypothesized to play a role in the light-mediated resetting of the circadian clock. Calbindin-D28k (CB; gene symbol: Calb1) is a Ca²⁺ binding protein implicated in Ca²⁺ homeostasis and sensing. The absence of this protein influences Ca²⁺ buffering capacity of a cell, alters spatio-temporal aspects of intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling, and hence might alter transmission of light information to the circadian clock in neurons of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). We tested mice lacking a functional Calb1 gene (Calb1^?/?) and found an increased phase-delay response to light applied at circadian time (CT) 14 in these animals. This is accompanied by elevated induction of Per2 gene expression in the SCN. Period length and circadian rhythmicity were comparable between Calb1^?/? and wild-type animals. Our findings indicate an involvement of CB in the signaling pathway that modulates the behavioral and molecular response to light. (Author correspondence: urs.albrecht@unifr.ch)     

THE EFFECT OF WAVELENGTH AND INTENSITY OF LIGHT ON THE PROPORTION OF PIGMENTS IN PORPHYRIDIUM CRUENTUM

Brody , Marcia , and Robert Emerson . (U. Illinois, Urbana.) The effect of wavelength and intensity of light on the proportion of pigments in Porphyridium cruentum. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(6): 433–440. Illus. 1959.—We specify a medium for Porphyridium cruentum made from distilled water and inorganic salts, without addition of earth extract, sea water or other supplements of uncertain composition, which sustains excellent growth through successive transfers. By control of intensity and wavelength of light used for growing the cultures, we have found it possible to vary the concentrations of chlorophyll and phycoerythrin, and also the proportions of these 2 pigments, over a considerable range. The changes in proportion of red and green pigments, in response to culturing in green and in blue light, are opposite to the changes that would be predicted from Engelmann's theory of complementary chromatic adaptation, when the intensities of the blue and green light are of the order of 10⁴ ergs/cm²/sec. (or greater). However, at about 1/100 of this intensity, the changes are in the direction of complementary chromatic adaptation.     

CRITICAL LEVELS OF LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE REGULATING THE GAMETOGENESIS OF THREE LAMINARIA SPECIES (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

Gametophytes of three Laminaria species occurring near Helgoland, North Sea, were cultivated 4 wk in a 12:12 LD regime at different temperatures in artificial light fields, and in the sea at different water depths. In the artificial light fields underwater spectral distribution was simulated according to Jerlov water Types 5, 7, 9. Blue light in the simulated light fields amounted to 17, 12 or 4% of total quanta. The rate of vegetative growth did not depend on spectral distribution, was light-saturated at 4–6 W · m^?2, and increased with temperature up to 15 C. L. saccharina (L.) Lamour. exhibited the highest tolerance towards temperature, light and UV. Gametophytes survived 1 wk at 21 C ± 0.1, but not 22 C ± 0.1. Gametophytes of L. hyperborea (Gunn.) Fosl. and L. digitata (Huds.) Lamour. survived 1 wk at 20 C ± 0.1, but not at 21 C ± 0.1. In sunlight, and in the light field of a xenon lamp, 50% of L. saccharina gametophytes were killed by a quantum dose of 50 μEin · cm^?2, and 100% of the plants by 90 μEin · cm^?2. Approximately half of these quantum doses killed the corresponding percent of the other species gametophytes. Appreciably higher quantum doses were survived in visible light, with red being the most detrimental. Fertility depended on a critical quantum dose of blue light which decreased almost exponentially with decreasing temperature. The quantum dose (400–512 nm) required for induction of fertilization of 50% of the female gametophytes (males react similarly) was 90 μEin · cm^?2 at 5 C, 110 μEin · cm^?2 at 10 C, 230 (560 in L. digitata)μEin · cm^?2 at 15 C, and 560 (L. hyperborea) or about 850 (other 2 species) μEin · cm^?2 at 18 C. In the sea the gametophytes survived the dark winter months in the unicellular stage, with almost no vegetative growth of the primary cell, due to lack of light. In early spring the female gametophytes matured in the unicellular, and the males in a few-celled stage at the depth of 2 m, as did the laboratory cultures under conditions inducing maximal fertility.     

EFFECT OF STRESS ON THE UPTAKE OF RADIOLABELLED CALCIUM IN THE PITUITARY GLAND AND THE BRAIN OF THE RAT

The in vivo uptake of ⁴⁵Ca by certain areas of the rat brain and by the pituitary gland was investigated under normal conditions and in states of cold stress. The uptake of ⁴⁵Ca was highest in the pituitary gland followed in decreasing order by the superior colliculus, medulla, cerebellum, thalamus, hippocampus and the cortex. Cold stress conditions induced an increase in uptake of ⁴⁵Ca in the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, medulla and the pituitary gland. Our findings suggest that cold stress induces a change in the permeability for calcium in blood-brain and blood-pituitary barriers.     

Visual sensitivity of ground squirrels to spatial and temporal luminance variations

Summary We have investigated the visual sensitivity of the California ground squirrel (Speromphilus beecheyi) to spatial and temporal luminance patterns. Spatial contrast sensitivity functions were determined in behavioral discrimination experiments in which the stimuli were sinusoidally-modulated luminance gratings. These squirrels were found to be maximally sensitive to spatial frequencies of about 0.7 cycles/ degree (c/d), and they are unable to discriminate gratings whose frequencies exceed 4 c/d. Similar results were obtained in electrophysiological experiments when the visually evoked cortical potential (VECP) was recorded from anesthetized squirrels. A third experiment involved tests of the ability of ground squirrels to discriminate square-wave gratings of much higher luminance (340 cd/m²). The finest gratings which were discriminable at this luminance level did not exceed 3.9–4.3 c/d and, thus, we conclude that the maximal spatial resolution of the California ground squirrel is about 4 c/d (corresponding to a bar separation of 7.5). In another behavioral experiment the abilities of ground squirrels to discriminate sinusoidally flickering lights (mean luminance = 3.4 cd/m²) was measured. The results show that ground squirrels are maximally sensitive to lights flickering at a rate of about 18 Hz, and that the highest rates that are still discriminable are slightly above 60 Hz.Abbreviations c/d cycles/degree - CFF critical flicker frequency - VECP visually evoked cortical potential This research was supported by Grant EY 00105 from the National Eye Institute. We thank David Birch who participated in some preliminary behavioral experiments and Kenneth Long who provided the histological material from which measurements of receptor spacing were made.     

THE ACTIVITIES OF BUTYRYLCHOLINESTERASE AND CARBONIC ANHYDRASE, THE RATE OF ANAEROBIC GLYCOLYSTS, AND THE QUESTION OF A CONSTANT DENSITY OF GLIAL CELLS IN CEREBRAL CORTICES OF VARIOUS MAMMALIAN SPECIES FROM MOUSE TO WHALE

Abstract— The question of a constant density of glial cells in mammalian cerebral cortex regardless of species was examined by surveying the cortical activities of two enzymes primarily localized to dial cells. The cortical activity of butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) was essentially constant at a rate of approx. 0.1 μmol of butyrylthiocholine hydrolysed min^-1 g^-1 over the range of species from rat (brain wt., 1.6 g) to fin whale and sperm whale (brain wt., 6800 and 7800 g, respectively). Over the same range the activity of cortical acetylcholinesterase, a neuronal enzyme, decreases by a factor of 7. Thus, butyrylcholinesterase ranged from < 2 per cent (in small rodent brains) to approximately 10 per cent (in whale brain) of the cortical acetylcholinesterase activity. The cortical activity of carbonic anhydrase (EC 4.2.1.1) was constant at a rate of 6.2 (± 0.25) μmol of CO₂ evolved min^-1 g^-1 over the range of species from guinea-pig (brain wt., 4.75 g) to fin whale (brain wt., 6800 g). These data obtained by assaying the dehydration reaction were confirmed by limited assays of the esterase activity of the enzyme (with p-nitrophenylacetate as substrate) and agreed with limited, previously reported data for the hydration reaction. Thus, the circumstantial evidence strongly favoured a relative constancy of cortical glial cell density regardless of species. The rates of anaerobic glycolysis in the cerebral cortex of various species were also investigated. For six species from mouse (brain wt., 0.4 g) to beef (brain wt., 380 g) cortical anaerobic glycolysis varied only slightly in the range of 50–62 μmol of CO₂ evolved h^-1 g^-l, whereas cortical oxygen consumption for the same range of species decreased by a factor of 3. Previously frozen samples of beef cortex glycolysed at 35 per Cent of the rate of fresh (unfrozen) samples. Since identical rates were obtained for previously frozen samples of fin whale cerebral cortex, we concluded that the relative constancy of cortical anaerobic glycolysis could be extended to the range from mouse to whale and that this aspect of cortical metabolism is probably primarily glial in localization. Some implications of the latter conclusion for the proposed role of astrocytes as modulators of neuronal activity have been discussed.     

EFFECTS OF LIGHT ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS,GRAZING, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE HETEROTROPHIC DINOFLAGELLATE PFIESTERIA PISCICIDA (DINOPHYCEAE)1

In studying how environmental factors control the population dynamics of Pfiesteria piscicida Steidinger et Burkholder, we examined the influence of light regime on kleptoplastidic photosynthesis, growth, and grazing. Prey (Rhodomonas sp.)‐saturated growth rate of P. piscicida increased (0.67 ± 0.03 d^?1 to 0.91 ± 0.11 d^?1) with light intensity varying from 0 to 200 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1. No significant effect was observed on grazing, excluding the possibility that light enhanced P. piscicida growth through stimulating grazing. Light‐grown P. piscicida exhibited a higher gross growth efficiency (0.78 ± 0.10) than P. piscicida incubated in the dark (0.32 ± 0.16), and photosynthetic inhibitors significantly decreased growth of recently fed populations. These results demonstrate a role of kleptoplastidic photosynthesis in enhancing growth in P. piscicida. However, when the prey alga R. sp. was depleted, light's stimulating effect on P. piscicida growth diminished quickly, coinciding with rapid disappearance of Rhodomonas‐derived pigments and RUBISCO from P. piscicida cells. Furthermore, the effect of light on growth was reversed after extended starvation, and starved light‐grown P. piscicida declined at a rate significantly greater than dark‐incubated cultures. The observed difference in rates of decline appeared to be attributable to light‐dependent cannibalism. Using a 5‐chloromethylfluorescein diacetate staining technique, cannibalistic grazing was observed after 7 days of starvation, at a rate four times greater under illumination than in the dark. The results from this study suggest that kleptoplastidy enhances growth of P. piscicida only in the presence of algal prey. When prey is absent, P. piscicida populations may become vulnerable to light‐stimulated cannibalism.     

Developmental role of the cell adhesion molecule Contactin-6 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus

The gene encoding the neural cell adhesion molecule Contactin-6 (Cntn6 a.k.a. NB-3) has been implicated as an autism risk gene, suggesting that its mutation is deleterious to brain development. Due to its GPI-anchor at Cntn6 may exert cell adhesion/receptor functions in complex with other membrane proteins, or serve as a ligand. We aimed to uncover novel phenotypes related to Cntn6 functions during development in the cerebral cortex of adult Cntn6^?/? mice. We first determined Cntn6 protein and mRNA expression in the cortex, thalamic nuclei and the hippocampus at P14, which decreased specifically in the cortex at adult stages. Neuroanatomical analysis demonstrated a significant decrease of Cux1+ projection neurons in layers II-IV and an increase of FoxP2+ projection neurons in layer VI in the visual cortex of adult Cntn6^?/? mice compared to wild-type controls. Furthermore, the number of parvalbumin+ (PV) interneurons was decreased in Cntn6^?/? mice, while the amount of NPY+ interneurons remained unchanged. In the hippocampus the delineation and outgrowth of mossy fibers remained largely unchanged, except for the observation of a larger suprapyramidal bundle. The observed abnormalities in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Cntn6^?/? mice suggests that Cntn6 serves developmental functions involving cell survival, migration and fasciculation. Furthermore, these data suggest that Cntn6 engages in both trans- and cis-interactions and may be involved in larger protein interaction networks.     

EFFECTS OF HARVEST STAGE AND LIGHT ON THE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE DIATOM THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA1

The marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt, clone 3H) Hasle and Heimdal was cultured under three different light regimes: 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 on 12:12 h light : dark (L:D) cycles; 50 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?2 on 24:0 h L:D; and 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 on 24:0 h L:D. It was harvested during logarithmic and stationary phases for analysis of biochemical composition. Across the different light regimes, protein (as % of organic weight) was highest in cells during logarithmic phase, whereas carbohydrate and lipid were highest during stationary phase. Carbohydrate concentrations were most affected by the different light regimes; cells grown under 12:12 h L:D contained 37–44% of the carbohydrate of cells grown under 24:0 h L:D. Cells in logarithmic phase had high proportions of polar lipids (79 to 89% of total lipid) and low triacylglycerol (≤10% of total lipid). Cells in stationary phase contained less polar lipid (48 to 57% of total lipid) and more triacylglycerol (22 to 45% of total lipid). The fatty acid composition of logarithmic phase cells grown under 24:0 h L:D were similar, but the 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 (12:12 h L:D) cells at the same stage contained a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a lower proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids due to different levels of 16:0, 16:1(n-7), 16:4(n-1), 18:4(n-3), and 20:5(n-3). With the onset of stationary phase, cells grown at 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 (both 12:12 and 24:0 h L:D) increased in proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty adds and decreased in PUFAs. Concentrations (% organic or dry weight) of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1(n-7), 20:5(n-3), and 22:6(n-3) increased in cells of all cultures during stationary phase. The amino acid compositions of cells were similar irrespective of harvest stage and light regime. For mariculture, the recommended light regime for culturing T. pseudonana will depend on the nutritional requirements of the animal to which the alga is fed. For rapidly growing bivalve mollusc larvae, stationary-phase cultures grown under a 24:0 h L:D regime may provide more energy by virtue of their higher percentage of carbohydrate and high proportions and concentrations of energy-rich saturated fatty acids.     

IRRADIANCE DEPENDENCY OF UV-A INDUCED PHASE SHIFTS IN THE LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY RHYTHM OF THE FIELD MOUSE MUS BOODUGA

In the nocturnal field mouse Mus booduga, the responsiveness of the circadian system to UV-A light of 2.5 W/m² and 30 minutes duration is known to be phase dependent. The results of our experiments indicate that the phase shifts evoked by UV-A at the two phases, CT14 (circadian time 14) and CT20 increases nonlinearly with irradiance. (Chronobiology International, 17(6), 777–782, 2000)     

PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE FEMALE GAMETOPHYTE OF GINKGO BILOBA

The female gametophyte of Ginkgo biloba is the only seed plant gametophyte known to contain chlorophyll. Measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) indicate that a gametophyte growing within an ovule can receive significant quantities of light (70 μmol photons m^–2 s^–1). Under the conditions of our experiments, whole gametophytes dissected free from ovules were capable of gross photosynthesis, but not net photosynthesis. On a dry wt basis, the maximum rate of carbon fixation under near saturating light intensities was 3.64 × 10^–3 μmol CO₂g^–1 s^–1. The unique ability of the female gametophyte of Ginkgo biloba to produce chlorophyll and engage in photosynthesis appears to result from its exposure to sufficient levels of light and a predisposition to react to this stimulus by the development of a functional photosynthetic apparatus.