ISSN:
1573-5079
Keywords:
chlororespiration
;
flash fluorescence
;
photosynthesis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Although it is generally assumed that the plastoquinone pool of thylakoid membranes in leaves of higher plants is rapidly oxidized upon darkening, this is often not the case. A multiflash kinetic fluorimeter was used to monitor the redox state of the plastoquinone pool in leaves. It was found that in many species of plants, particularly those using the NAD-malic enzyme C4 system of photosynthesis, the pool actually became more reduced following a light to dark transition. In some Amaranthus species, plastoquinone remained reduced in the dark for several hours. Far red light, which preferentially drives Photosystem I turnover, could effectively oxidize the plastoquinone pool. Plastoquinone was re-reduced in the dark within a few seconds when far red illumination was removed. The underlying mechanism of the dark reduction of the plastoquinone pool is still uncertain but may involve chlororespiratory activity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00033039
