Growth and physiology of Oscillatoria agardhii gomont cultivated in continuous culture with a light-dark cycle

The cyanobacterium Oscillatoria agardhii Gomont was cultivated with a diurnal light-dark cycle (photoperiod 16 h) in continuous culture. There were found to be large differences in specific synthesis rates of the different biopolymers. The specific rates of change of proteins and nucleic acids (except DNA) matched the dilution rate, both in the light and in the dark period. Carbohydrates were synthesized and stored at a very high rate during the photoperiod, and were metabolized for the provision of energy, and for biosynthesis of other biopolymers in the dark. Cell counts showed no evidence of phased synchrony, although this conclusion was contradicted by changes in DNA and pigments.