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Photosynthetic oscillation in individual cells of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii (Bacillariophyceae) revealed by microsensor measurements

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Abstract

Oscillations with a period of 1–2 min in the rate of photosynthesis have been found in leaves of C3 and C4 land plants under invariant, saturating, light and carbon dioxide. This article reports the occurrence of similar oscillations with a period of 2–2.5 min in individual cells of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii. These oscillations were determined by measurements of both oxygen (oxygen microelectrode) and carbon dioxide (pH microelectrode) just outside the plasmalemma. These oscillations were found in less than 1% of the cells examined. The occurrence of oscillations in unicelluar diatoms rules out for these organisms hypotheses as to the origin of oscillations in land plant leaves that are based on cell–cell interactions.

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Abbreviations

CA:

Carbonic anhydrase

CCM:

Carbon concentrating mechanism

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

CO3 2- :

Carbonate anion

HCO3 − :

Bicarbonate

O2 :

Oxygen

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Acknowledgements

SK is very grateful to Stephanie Köhler-Rink (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen) who not only shared her knowledge on microsensors but also her workplace in the laboratory. JAR acknowledges support from NERC for work on algal photosynthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Botany (FB2), University of Bremen, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany

    Stefanie F. Kühn

  2. Plant Research Unit, Scottish Crop Research Institute, University of Dundee at SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    John A. Raven

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  1. Stefanie F. Kühn
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  2. John A. Raven
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Correspondence to Stefanie F. Kühn.

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Kühn, S.F., Raven, J.A. Photosynthetic oscillation in individual cells of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii (Bacillariophyceae) revealed by microsensor measurements. Photosynth Res 95, 37–44 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-007-9221-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-007-9221-x

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