Summary
The starch metabolism of the chloroplasts in the leaves of Stellaria media was studied by means of electron microscopy. During the night the starch grains diminished in size but did not disappear entirely. In the light they grew due to photosynthesis. After prolonged illumination of the plant the grains almost filled up the chloroplasts. However, after an illumination of 26–27 hr a sudded disintegration took place. This was apparently caused by the increased activity of β-amylase observed in an earlier investigation to occur at this time in the chloroplasts. After the disintegration the starch grains of the chloroplasts showed irregular changes.
The rate of photosynthesis and respiration was measured by an infra-red gas analyser. During prolonged illumination Stellaria media showed a rather intensive and constant rate of assimilation. The role of starch disintegration and β-amylase synthesis in making possible this constant assimilation has been discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anisimov, A. A.: Mechanism by which nitrogen nutrition affects assimilate movement in potato. Fiziol. Rastenii (Engl. transln.) 15, 8–12 (1968).
Bosian, G.: Zum Gaswechselproblem: Beweisführung zur gravierenden Bedeutung der Temperatur für Transpiration und Respiration. Ber. dtsch. bot. Ges. 79, 385–400 (1966).
—: Relationships between stomatal aperture, temperature, illumination, relative humidity and assimilation determined in the field by means of controlled-environment plant chambers. In: Functioning of terrestial ecosystems at the primary production level. Natural resources research, vol. V, (F. E. Eckardt, ed.), p. 321–328. Liège: UNESCO 1968.
Gaastra, P.: Photosynthesis of crop plants as influenced by light, carbon dioxide, temperature, and stomatal diffusion resistance. Meded. Landbouwhogesch. Wageningen 59, No. 13 (1959).
Haapala, H.: Studies on the endogenous rhythm of stomatal movements in Oxyria digyna (L.) Hill and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Aquilo, Ser. Bot. 5, 120–132 (1967).
—: Accumulation and disintegration of starch in the chloroplasts of Stellaria media grown under constant illumination. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 21, 866–871 (1968).
—: Studies on the activity of beta-amylase in the chloroplasts of Stellaria media during prolonged illumination. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 22, 140–146 (1969).
Hahn, L. W., and J. M. Miller: Light dependance of chloroplast replication and starch metabolism in the moss Polytrichum commune. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 19, 134–141 (1966).
Hardwick, K., M. Wood, and H. W. Woolhouse: Photosynthesis and respiration in relation to leaf age in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. New Phytologist 67, 79–86 (1968).
Hastings, J. W.: The role of light in persistent daily rhythms. In: Photophysiology (A. C. Giese, ed.), vol. I, p. 333–361. New York: Acad. Press 1964.
Hattori, S., u. S. Osaki: Über das Verhalten der Stärke in den Chloroplasten. Z. Bot. 46, 355–368 (1958).
Hoffmann, P.: Zur Physiologie der Photosynthese bei höheren Pflanzen. Bot. Stud. No 18, (1968).
Komuro, T., K. Yano, and S. Hattori: The changes in the starch content of tobacco leaves by dark treatment. Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 79, 376–380 (1966).
Laetsch, W. M.: Chloroplast specialization in dicotyledons possessing the C4-dicarboxylic acid pathway of photosynthetic CO2-fixation. Amer. J. Bot. 55, 875–883 (1968).
Lichtenthaler, H. K.: Plastoglobuli and the fine structure of plastids. Endeavour 27, 144–149 (1968).
Ljubešić, N.: Feinbau der Chloroplasten während der Vergilbung und Wiederergrünung der Blätter. Protoplasma 66, 369–379 (1968).
Madsen, E.: Effect of CO2-concentration on the accumulation of starch and sugar in tomato leaves. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 21, 168–175 (1968).
Miller, D. H., and L. Machlis: Light mediated changes in the chloroplasts of the liverwort Sphaerocarpus donnellii Aust. Plant Physiol. 43, 723–729 (1968).
Moyse, A.: Les Chloroplastes: Activité photosynthétique et métabolism des glucides. In: Biochemistry of chloroplasts (T. W. Goodwin, ed.), vol. II, p. 91–129. London: Acad. Press 1967.
Neales, T. F., and L. D. Incoll: The control of leaf photosynthesis rate by the level of assimilate concentration in the leaf: A review of the hypothesis. Bot. Rev. 34, 107–125 (1968).
Nichiporovich, A. A., O. P. Osipova, M. K. Nikolaeva, E. G. Romanko, Kh. Ya. Khein, G. A. Slobodskaya, and Yu. V. Krylov: Activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and nitrogen metabolism in plants. Fiziol. Rastenii (Engl. transln.) 14, 713–720 (1967).
Reynolds, E. C.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electronopaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–213 (1963).
Sabatini, D. D., K. Bensch, and R. J. Barrnett: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).
Schön, W. J.: Periodische Schwankungen der Photosynthese und Atmung bei Hydrodictyon. Flora (Jena) 142, 347–380 (1955).
Ting, I. P., and W. E. Loomis: Diffusion through stomates. Amer. J. Bot. 50, 866–872 (1963).
Wanka, F.: Ultrastructural changes during normal and colchicine-inhibited cell division of Chlorella. Protoplasma 66, 105–130 (1968).
Warren-Wilson, J.: An analysis of plant growth and its control in arctic environments. Ann. Bot., N. S. 30, 383–402 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haapala, H. Photosynthesis and starch metabolism of chloroplasts during prolonged illumination. Planta 86, 259–266 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386458
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386458