Photosynthetic activity during the division cycle in synchronized Euglena gracilis

Abstract

Axenic populations of the photosynthetic protozoan Euglena gracilis, grown with autotrophic nutrition, were synchronized with respect to cell division by culture on an alternating light-dark cycle. No cell divisions occurred in the light periods; approximately 100% of the cells divided in the dark periods. In such cultures, the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and accumulation of polysaccharide were confined to the light periods. The capacity for photosynthesis, however, increased continuously over the entire light-dark cycle, and is thus not directly correlated with pigment content. A correlation was seen between photosynthetic capacity and protein content, suggesting that enzymatic mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus might be the limiting factor. Estimates of total photosynthetic activity indicate that about 5 x 10(-6) calories are required for the synthesis of a new cell.