UV-B radiation and selenium affected energy availability in green alga Zygnema

Green alga Zygnema was exposed to three concentrations of selenium and two levels of UV-B radiation. The combined effects of both treatments on energy availability; photochemical quantum yield and respiratory potential were studied. Our findings show that traces of selenium enhance metabolic process connected with photochemical quantum yield and mitochondrial respiration. Surprisingly, selenium does not diminish the effects of UV-B radiation; on the contrary, the combined action of UV-B radiation and traces of selenium leads to pronounced negative effects on photochemical quantum yield and the respiratory potential. Selenium is involved in the activation of energy resources in green alga Zygnema. The importance of selenium for activity of the mitochondria is possibly an evolutionary recollection from an endosymbiotic bacterium.