The light-induced increases of the effective fluorescence yield in Chlorella are too slow to be primary processes in photosynthesis. The fast transient state (risetime 25 nsec, limited to the first flash) is attributed to a priming reaction for the photosystem that makes oxygen. The slower cyclical process (risetime 3 musec, decay time 200 musec and 2 msec) is attributed to the dark reactions that make oxygen after photoexcitation of this system. The slower cyclical process is also distinguished by a narrower emission spectrum that peaks at a shorter wavelength than the dark adapted or fast transient state. A minimum of six different fluorescent states are required to explain the data. In addition to the usual assumption about changing quantum yield of fluorescence in these processes, the data suggest that changes in cross section of optical absorption must also be considered. The slowest relaxation times observed (0.2-2 msec) are well correlated with the slow steps detected in evolution of oxygen.

Chlorella↗

PubMed1972

The development of photosynthesis in a greening mutant of chlorella and an analysis of the light saturation curve.

Photosynthetic oxygen evolution considerably precedes the rise in chlorophyll during the greening of a yellow mutant of Chlorella vulgaris. Dark-grown cells required 20 times more light to saturate photosynthesis than light-grown or normal cells. The chlorophyll appears to add first to active reaction centers, then to fill in a more general antenna. The carotenoid pigments seem to add more randomly to the reaction centers. The shape of the light saturation curves can be explained with the assumption that an excitation in the antenna can reach several reaction centers. The efficiency of the total unit is constant during the greening process.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1971

Magnetic anisotropy and the orientation of retinal rods in a homogeneous magnetic field.

The reported orientation of retinal rods in a homogeneous magnetic field can be explained by the magnetic anisotropy of oriented molecules in the disc membranes of the rods. The energy of a single rod as a function of orientation in the magnetic field, the time required for alingment of the rod in a viscous medium, and the fluctuations of orientation are calculated. Arguments that rhodopsin is the constituent responsible for the effect are given. The possibility of orientation due to inhomogeneity of the magnetic field is ruled out. The application of magnetic anisotropy as an experimental tool in biology is indicated.

Animals↗

PubMed1969