Abstract
ABSTRACTThe marine cryptophytePyrenomonas salinaSantore is capable of autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition. We studied the physiological and ultrastructural changes that accompany the shift between these nutritional modes. The addition of glycerol to batch cultures ofP. salina,grown at an irradiance limiting for photoautotrophic growth, increased its growth rate and induced specific biochemical and structural changes in its photosynthetic system. Results from extracted pigment analyses, thin‐section electron microscopy, and freeze‐fracture electron microscopy indicated that glycerol addition reduced the cell phycoerythrin content, phycoerythrin to chlorophyll a ratio, degree of thylakoid packing, number of thylakoids · cell−1, and PSII particle size. These properties were reduced to a similar extent in cells grown photoautotrophically under an irradiance saturating for growth. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that enhancement of heterotrophic potential occurs at the expense of light‐harvesting ability in glycerol‐grownP. salina.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
