Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A simple model relating photoinhibitory fluorescence quenching in chloroplasts to a population of altered Photosystem II reaction centers

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model is presented describing the relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and photoinhibition of Photosystem (PS) II-dependent electron transport in chloroplasts. The model is based on the hypothesis that excess light creates a population of inhibited PS II units in the thylakoids. Those units are supposed to posses photochemically inactive reaction centers which convert excitation energy to heat and thereby quench variable fluorescence. If predominant photoinhibition of PS IIα and cooperativity in energy transfer between inhibited and active units are presumed, a quasi-linear correlation between PS II activity and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, FVFM, is obtained. However, the simulation does not result in an inherent linearity of the relationship between quantum yield of PS II and FVFM ratio. The model is used to fit experimental data on photoinhibited isolated chloroplasts. Results are discussed in view of current hypotheses of photoinhibition.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

FM :

maximum total fluorescence

F0 :

initial fluorescence

FV :

maximum variable fluorescence

PS:

Photosystem

QA, QB :

primary and secondary electron acceptors of Photosystem II

References

  • Barényi B and Krause GH (1985) Inhibition of photosynthetic reactions by light. A study with isolated chloroplasts. Planta 163: 218–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O (1987) Low-temperature chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves and its relation to photon yield of photosynthesis in photoinhibition. In: Kyle DJ, Osmond CB and Arntzen CJ (eds) Topics in Photosynthesis. Photoinhibition, Vol 9, pp 123–144. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler WL (1978) Energy distribution in the photochemical apparatus of photosynthesis. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 29: 345–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Chylla RA and Whitmarsh J (1989) Inactive Photosystem II complexes in leaves. Turnover rate and quantification. Plant Physiol 90: 765–772

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland RE (1988) Molecular events of photoinhibitory inactivation in the reaction centre of Photosystem II. Aust J Plant Physiol 5: 135–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland RE and Critchley C (1985) Studies on the mechanism of photoinhibition in higher plants. II. Inactivation by high light of Photosystem II reaction center function in isolated spinach thylakoids and O2 evolving particles. Photobiochem Photobiophys 10: 83–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland RE, Melis A and Neale PJ (1986) Mechanism of photoinhibition: photochemical reaction center inactivation in system II of chloroplasts. Photosynth Res 9: 79–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Critchley C (1988) The molecular mechanism of photoinhibition-facts and fiction. Aust J Plant Physiol 15: 27–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Demmig-Adams B (1990) Carotenoids and photoprotection in plants: A role for the xanthophyll zeaxanthin. Biochim Biophys Acta 1020: 1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Demmig B and Björkman O (1987) Comparison of the effect of excessive light on chlorophyll fluorescence (77 K) and photon yield of O2 evolution in leaves of higher plants. Planta 171: 171–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Hipkins MF (1978) Kinetic analysis of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction from chloroplasts blocked with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Biochim Biophys Acta 502: 514–523

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzwarth AR (1991) Excited state kinetics in chlorophyll systems and its relationship to the functional organization of the photosystem. In: Scheer H (ed) The Chlorophylls. CRC Handbook, 1125–1151. Boca Raton: CRC Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings RC, Garlaschi FM and Zucchelli G (1991) Light-induced fluorescence quenching in the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex. Photosynth Res 27: 57–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Joliot A and Joliot P (1964) Etude cinétique de la réaction photochimique libérant l'oxygene au cours de la photosynthése. CR Acad Sci Paris 258: 4622–4625

    Google Scholar 

  • Joliot P, Joliot A and Kok B (1968) Analysis of the interactions between the two photosystems in isolated chloroplasts. Biochim Biophys Acta 153: 635–652

    Google Scholar 

  • Keuper HJK and Sauer K (1989) Effect of Photosystem II reaction center closure on nanosecond fluorescence relaxation kinetics. Photosynth Res 20: 85–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Kok B, Gassner EB and Rurainski HJ (1965) Photoinhibition of chloroplast reactions. Photochem Photobiol 4: 215–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH (1988) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis. An evaluation of damaging and protective mechanisms. Physiol Plant 74: 566–574

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH and Somersalo S (1989) Fluorescence as a tool in photosynthesis research: Application in studies of photoinhibition, cold acclimation and freezing stress. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 323: 281–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH and Weis E (1991) Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: The basics. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 42: 313–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH, Somersalo S, Zumbusch E, Weyers B and Laasch H (1990) On the mechanism of photoinhibition in chloroplasts. Relationship between changes in fluorescence and activity of Photosystem II. J Plant Physiol 136: 472–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyle DJ (1987) The biochemical basis for photoinhibition of Photosystem II. In: Kyle DJ, Osmond CB and Arntzen CJ (eds) Topics inPhotoinhibition. Photosynthesis, Vol 9, pp 197–226. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavorel J and Etienne A-L (1977) In vivo chlorophyll fluorescence. In: Barber J (ed) Topics in Photosynthesis. Primary Processes of Photosynthesis, Vol 2, pp 203–268. Elseveier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Melis A (1985) Functional properties of Photosystem IIβ in spinach chloroplasts. Biochim Biophys Acta 808: 334–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Melis A, Guenther GE, Morissey PJ and Ghirardi ML (1988) Photosystem II heterogeneity in chloroplasts. In: Lichtenthaler HK (ed) Applications of Chlorophyll Fluorescence, pp 33–43. Kluwer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Ögren E and Öquist G (1984) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in Lemna gibba as induced by the interaction between light and temperature. III. Chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 K. Physiol Plant 62: 193–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Ort DR and Whitmarsh J (1990) Inactive Photosystem II centers: A resolution of discrepancies in photoystem II quantitation? Photosynth Res 23: 101–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Powles SB and Björkman O (1982) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis: Effect on chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 K in intact leaves and in chloroplast membranes of Nerium oleander. Planta 156: 97–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter M, Rühle W and Wild A (1990) Studies on the mechanism of Photosystem II photoinhibition. II. The involvement of toxic oxygen species. Photosynth Res 24: 237–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Schatz GH, Brock H and Holzwarth AR (1988) Kinetic and energetic model for the primary processes in Photosystem II. Biophys J 54: 397–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Somersalo S and Krause GH (1989) Photoinhibition at chilling temperature. Fluorescence characteristics of unhardened and cold-acclimated spinach leaves. Planta 177: 409–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Somersalo S and Krause GH (1990) Reversible photoinhibition of unhardened and cold-acclimated spinach leaves at chilling temperatures. Planta 180: 181–187

    Google Scholar 

  • vanGrondelle R and Amesz J (1986) Excitation energy transfer in photosynthetic systems. In: Govindjee, Amesz J and Fork DC (eds), Light Emission by Plants and Bacteria, pp 191–223. Academic Press, Orlando

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogelmann TC, Bornman JF and Josserand S (1989) Photosynthetic light gradients and spectral régime within leaves of Medicago sativa. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 323: 411–421

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botanical Institute, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3-5, D-6100, Darmstadt

    Christoph Giersch

  2. Institute for Biochemistry of Plants, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-4000, Düsseldorf 1, Germany

    G. Heinrich Krause

Authors
  1. Christoph Giersch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Heinrich Krause
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Giersch, C., Krause, G.H. A simple model relating photoinhibitory fluorescence quenching in chloroplasts to a population of altered Photosystem II reaction centers. Photosynth Res 30, 115–121 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042009

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042009

Key words

Search

Navigation