Kinetics of luminescence in the 10 −6–10 −4-s range in Chlorella

Abstract

The decay of luminescence in the 6–600-μs range following a microsecond flash has been studied in Chlorella. The decay is highly polyphasic; three kinetic components are outlined, in confirmation of the results of K. L. Zankel (1971, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 245, 373–385). Extrapolation of the decay to zero dark time suggests that a unique metastable species C − +, resulting from photochemical charge separation in the System II reaction center, is the substrate of the recombination reaction which gives rise to luminescence. The fast (5–10 μs) and medium (50–70 μs) phases of the decay denote different stabilization steps, preceding relaxation of the centers by electron and proton transduction to the photosynthetic chain. NH 2OH specifically inhibits the fast phase and enhances the medium phase. This effect is explained by assuming that the fast phase results from electron transfer from the water splitting system Z to the oxidized primary donor Y. 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), in the presence of NH 2OH elicits another fast phase. It is believed that DCMU affords a parasitic stabilization of C − + by forming a complex with Q −.