Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sixty years in algal physiology and photosynthesis

  • Personal Perspective
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This personal perspective records research experiences in chemistry and biology at four German universities, two before and two after World War II. The research themes came from cytophysiology of green unicellular algae, in particular their photosynthesis. The function of inorganic ions in photosynthesis and dark respiration was investigated at different degrees of specific mineral stress (deficiencies), and the kinetics of recovery followed after the addition of the missing element. Two types of recovery of photosynthesis were observed: indirect restitution via growth processes and immediate normalisation. From the latter case (K+, phosphate, Mn++) the effect of manganese was emphasized as its role in photosynthetic O2 evolution became established during our research. Other themes of our group, with some bearing on photosynthesis were: synchronization of cell growth by light-dark change and effects of blue (vs. red) light on the composition of green cells. Some experiences in connection with algal mass cultures are included. Discussion of several editorial projects shows how photosynthesis, as an orginally separated field of plant biochemistry and biophysics, became included into general cell physiology and even ecophysiology of green plants. The paper contains an appreciation of the authors' main mentor Kurt Noack (1888–1963) and of Ernst Georg Pringsheim (1881–1970), founder of experimental phycology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arnon DI (1984) The discovery of photosynthetic phosphorylation. TIBS 9: 258–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannister TT (1972) The careers and contributions of Eugene Rabinowitch. Biophysic J 12: 707–718

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger C and Pirson A (1967) Aktivitätsbestimmung einiger Enzyme synchronisierter Chlorellazellen im Licht-Dunkel-Wechsel. Flora Abt A 158: 164–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmann L (1955) Stoffwechsel und Mineralsalzernährung einzelliger Grünalgen II. Flora 142: 493–539

    Google Scholar 

  • Böger P (1964) Das Strukturproteid aus Chloroplasten einzelliger Grünalgen und seine Beziehung zum Chlorophyll. Flora 154: 174–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Burlew JS (ed) (1953) Algal Culture from Laboratory to Pilot Plant. Carn Inst Wash 600, Washington

  • Calvin M (1989) Forty years of photosynthesis and related activities. Photosynth Res 21: 3–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Cayle T and Emerson R (1975) Effect of wave-length on the distribution of carbon-14 in the early products of photosynthesis. Nature (London) 179: 89–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheniae GM (1970) Photosystem II and O2 evolution. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 21: 467–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson R (1958) The quantum yield of photosynthesis. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 9: 1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eyster C, Brown TE and Tanner HA (1958) Mineral requirements for Chlorella pyrenoidosa under autotrophic conditions. In: Lamb CA, Bentley OG and Beattie JM (eds) Trace Elements, pp 157–174. Academic Press Inc, New York/London

    Google Scholar 

  • Feierabend J (1968) Der Einfluß von Cytokininen auf die Bildung von Photosyntheseenzymen in Roggenkeimlingen. Planta (Berl) 84: 11–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Feierabend J and Pirson A (1966) Die Wirkung des Lichts auf die Bildung von Photosyntheseenzymen in Roggenkeimlingen. Z Pflanzenphysiol 55: 235–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Frenkel A (1993) Recollections. Photosynth Res 35: 103–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Galling G (1963) Analyse des Magnesium-Mangels bei synchronisierten Chlorellen. Arch Mikrobiol 46: 150–184

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gest H (1991) The legacy of Hans Molisch (1856–1937), photosynthesis savant. Photosynth Res 30: 49–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Gest H (1993) History of the concepts of the comparative biochemistry of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosyntheses. Photosynth Res 35: 87–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs M and Latzko E (eds) (1979) Photosynthetic Carbon Metabolism and Related Processes. Encyclopedia Plant Physiol (new series) Vol 6. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindjee, Amesz J and Fork DC (eds) (1986) Light Emission by Plant and Bacteria. Academic Press, Orlando

    Google Scholar 

  • Huzisige H and Ke B (1993) Dynamics of the history of photosynthesis research. Photosynth Res 38: 185–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassner RJ and Kamen MD (1968) Trace metal composition of photosynthetic bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta 153: 270–273

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellner K (1955) Die Adaptation von Ankistrodesmus braunii an Rubidium und Kupfer. Biol Zentralbl 74: 662–691

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler E (1955) On the role of manganese in the oxygen evolving system of photosynthesis. Arch Biochem 59: 527–529

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler E (1957a) Über die Rolle des Mangans bei Photoreduktion und Photosynthese. Planta (Berl) 49:435–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler E (1957b) Manganese as a cofactor in photosynthetic oxygen evolution. In: Gaffron H, Brown AH, French CS, Livingston R, Rabinowitch E, Strehler BL and Tolbert NE (eds) Research in Photosynthesis, pp 242–249. Interscience, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kok B (1960) Efficiency of photosynthesis. In: Ruhland W (ed) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 5, pp 566–633. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowallik W (1982) Blue light effects on respiration. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 33: 51–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krebs H (1979) Otto Warburg: Zellphysiologe-Biochemiker-Mediziner. In: Grosse Naturforscher 41, Wiss Verl Ges, Stuttgart, 167 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang A (1980) Some recollections and reflections. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 31: 1–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laudenbach B and Pirson A (1969) Über den Kohlenhydratumsatz in Chlorella unter dem Einfluss von blauem und rotem Licht. Arch Mikrobiol 67: 226–242

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mavankal G and McCain DC (1991) Photosystem 2 remains capable of oxygen evolution after losing one-fourth of its initial manganese content. Photosynthetica 25: 631–638

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayr E (1988) Towards a New Philosophy of Biology. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Mass and London. (1991) German edition (revised) Eine neue Philosophie der Biologie. Piper, München/Zürich

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehler A (1951) Studies on reactions of illuminated chloroplasts. I. Mechanism of the reduction of O2 and other Hill reagents. Arch Biochem Biophys 33: 65–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Mende D, Niemeyer H, Hecker S and Wiessner W (1978) In vivo regulation of the photosynthetic electron transport. Photosynthetica 12: 440–448

    Google Scholar 

  • Menke W (1990) Retrospective of a botanist. Photosynth Res 25: 77–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Michels H (1940) Über die Hemmung der Photosynthese nach Sauerstoffenzug bei Grünalgen. Z Bot 35: 241–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers J (1987) Bessel Kok, Nov 7, 1918–April 27, 1979. Biophysical Memoirs, National Academy of Sciences of the USA 57: 125–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K (1918) Untersuchungen über den Anthocyanstoffwechsel auf Grund der chemischen Eigenschaften der Anthocyangruppe. Z Bot 10: 561–628

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K (1922) Physiologische Untersuchungen an Flavonolen und Anthocyanen. Z Bot 14: 1–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K (1925) Photochemische Wirkungen des Chlorophyll und ihre Bedeutung für die Kohlensäureassimilation. Z Bot 17: 481–548

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K (1927) Der Zustand des Chlorophylls in der lebenden Pflanze. Biochem Z 183: 135–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K and Kiessling W (1929) Zur Entstehung des Chlorophylls und seiner Beziehung zum Blutfarbstoff I. Z Physiol Chem (Hoppe-Seyler) 182: 13–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K and Kiessling W (1930) Zur Entstehung des Chlorophylls und seiner Beziehung zum Blutfarbstoff II. Z Physiol Chem (Hoppe-Seyler) 193: 13–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K, Pirson A and Michels H (1939) Zur Kenntnis der Assimilationshemmung nach Sauerstoffentzug bei Grünalgen. Naturwiss 27: 645

    Google Scholar 

  • Noack K, Pirson A and Stegmann G (1940) Der Bedarf an Spurenelementen bei Chlorella. Naturwiss 28: 172–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Nührenberg B, Lesemann D and Pirson A (1968) Zur Frage eines anaeroben Wachstums einzelliger Grünalgen. Planta (Berl) 79: 162–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1937) Ernährungs-und stoffwechselphysiologische Untersuchungen an Fontinalis und Chlorella. Z Bot 31: 193–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1939) Über die Wirkung von Alkaliionen auf Wachstum und Stoffwechsel von Chlorella. Planta (Berl) 29: 231–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1952) Der heutige Stand der Photosyntheseforschung. Ber Deutsch Bot Ges 63: 73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1955) Functional aspects of mineral nutrition. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 6: 71–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1958) Manganese and its role in photosynthesis. In: Lamb CA, Bentley OG and Beattie JM (eds) Trace Elements, pp 81–98. Academic Press Inc, New York/London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1960) Photosynthese und mineralische Faktoren. In: Ruhland W (ed) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol V, 2, pp 123–151. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Göttingen/Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1961) L'application de la synchronisation à la physiologie cellulaire des algues vertes. Coll Internat CNRS 103: 103–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1965) Kurt Noack (Obituary). Ber Deutsch Bot Ges 78 (Sondernummer): 182–190

  • Pirson A (1972) Ernst Georg Pringsheim (Obituary). Ber Deutsch Bot Ges 85: 651–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A (1974) Synchrony, synchronization and cell cycles. Coll Internat CNRS 240: 19–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Böger P (1965) Correlations of chlorophyll with insoluble protein of the chloroplasts of green algae. Nature (London) 205: 1129–1130

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Kellner K (1952) Physiologische Wirkungen des Rubidiums. Ber Deutsch Bot Ges 65: 276–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Kowallik W (1964) Spectral responses to blue light by unicellular plants. Photochem Photobiol 3: 489–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Lorenzen H (1958) Photosynthetische Sauerstoffentwicklung von Chlorella nach Synchronisation im Licht-Dunkel-Wechsel. Naturwiss 45: 497

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Lorenzen H (1966) Synchronized dividing algae. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 17: 439–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A and Wilhelmi G (1950) Photosynthese-Gaswechsel und Mineralsalzernährung. Z Naturforsch 5B: 211–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A, Tichy C and Wilhelmi G (1952) Stoffwechsel und Mineralsalzernährung einzelliger Grünalgen. Planta (Berl) 40: 199–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirson A, Lorenzen H and Ruppel HG (1963) Der Licht-Dunkel-Wechsel als synchronisierendes Prinzip. In: Studies on Microalgae and Photosynthetic Bacteria, pp 127–139 Jap Soc Plant Physiol (ed). Tokyo, Univ Tokyo Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Pringsheim EG (1970) Eine autobiographische Skizze. Medizinhist J Hildesheim 5: 125–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitch E (1945) Photosynthesis and Related Processes, Vol I. Chemistry of Photosynthesis, Chemosynthesis, and Related Processes in vitro and in vivo. Wiley Interscience, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitch E (1951) Photosynthesis and Related Processes, Vol II, Part I. Spectroscopy and Fluorescence of Photosynthetic Pigments, Kinetics of Photosynthesis, Wiley Interscience, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitch E (1956) Photosynthesis and Related Processes, Vol II, Part II. Kinetics of Photosynthesis (continued); Addenda to Vol I and Vol II, Part I. Wiley Interscience, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitch E (1961) Robert Emerson, Nov 4, 1903–February 4, 1959, Biographical Memoirs, National Academy of Science of the USA 35: 112–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer K, Guiles RD, McDermott AE, Cole J, Yachandra VK, Zimmermann J-L, Klein MP, Dexheimer SL and Britt RD (1988) Spectroscopic studies of manganese in photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Chim Scripta 28A: 87–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlösser U (1966) Enzymatisch gesteuerte Freisetzung von Zoosporen bei Chlamydomonas reinhardii in Synchronkultur. Arch Mikrobiol 54: 129–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schön WJ (1955) Periodische Schwankungen der Photosynthese und Atmung bei Hydrodictyon. Flora 142: 347–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Senger H (ed) (1980) The Blue Light Syndrome. Springer Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Senger H, Schrader E and Bishop NI (1993) Changes in the carotenoid pattern during synchronous life cycle of Scenedesmus. Bot Acta 106: 72–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Stabenau H (1971) Die Regulation des Photosyntheseapparates bei Chlorogonium elongatum unter dem Einfluß von Licht und Acetat. Biochem Physiol Pflanz 162: 371–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Stachelin LA and Arntzen CJ (eds) (1986) Photosynthetic Membranes and Light Harvesting Systems. In: Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology (new series), Vol 19. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Steup M (1975) Die Wirkung von rotem und blauem Licht auf die Synthese ribosomaler DNA in Chlorella. Arch Mikrobiol 105: 143–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Steup M and Pirson A (1974) Über den Einfluss des blauen und roten Spektralbereichs auf Phosphatfraktionen, besonders Polyphosphate in Grünalgen. Biochem Physiol Pflanzen 166: 447–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamiya H (1966) Synchronous cultures of algae. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 17: 1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trebst A and Avron M (eds) (1977) Photosynthetic Electron Transport and Photophosphorylation. In: Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology (new series), Vol 5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Tappeiner H (1909) Die photodynamische Erscheinung (Sensibilisierung durch fluoreszierende Farbstoffe) Ergebn Physiol 8: 698–741

    Google Scholar 

  • Voskresenskaya NP (1972) Blue light and carbon metabolism. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 23: 219–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker DA (1976) Plastids and intracellular transport. In: Gibbs M and Latzko E (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology (new series), Vol 3, pp 85–136. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiessner W (1960) Wachstum und Stoffwechsel von Rhodopseudomonas spheroides in Abhängigkeit von der Versorgung mit Mn und Fe. Flora 149: 1–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiessner W, Deak Z, Mende D and Demeter S (1991) Flash oxygen yield patterns of autotrophically grown Chlamydobotrys stellata in presence and absence of lipophilic acceptors. Photosynth Res 29: 37–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt HT (1991) Functional mechanism of water splitting photosynthesis. Photosynth Res 29: 55–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeidler H (1973) Über den lichtabhängigen Stoffwechsel von Chlorogonium elongatum DANGEARD bei autotropher Anzucht. Doctoral Thesis, Universität Göttingen, Göttingen

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ewaldstrasse 71, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany

    André Pirson

Authors
  1. André Pirson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Written at the invitation of Govindjee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pirson, A. Sixty years in algal physiology and photosynthesis. Photosynth Res 40, 207–221 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034771

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034771

Key words

Search

Navigation