Marine Biology   Web Search

How dinoflagellates protect themselves during photosynthesis Dec 07, 2009 at 11:00 pm

During photosynthesis at high light intensities dangerous oxygen radicals can form inside cells. Dinoflagellates have a unique light-harvesting complex (antenna) which can divert superfluous energy extremely efficiently to avoid this cell damage. Biophysicists have now been able to determine which molecules in the antenna are of significance. In the complex four carotenoid molecules cluster around a central chlorophyll molecule. The researchers were able to identify one specific carotenoid as a type of integrated lightning rod. It interacts with a “short-living” (nanosecond range, one millionth of a millisecond), energetically activated state of the chlorophyll and diverts the superfluous energy as soon as the chlorophyll passes into a “long-living” (microsecond range, a thousandth of a millisecond) energy state dangerous for the cell.

Source:How dinoflagellates protect themselves during photosynthesis

Further Reading

• Increasing importance of small phytoplankton in a warmer ocean
• First comprehensive review of the state of Antarctica's climate
• Acoustic Ducting, Reflection, Refraction, and Dispersion by Curved Nonlinear Internal Waves in Shallow Water
• Distinct startle responses are associated with neuroanatomical differences in pufferfishes
• Giant Antarctic iceberg could affect global ocean circulation
• World-class protection boosts Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
• The carbon cycle before humans: New studies provide clearer picture of how carbon cycle was dramatically affected long ago
• Russia supports plan to clean up Baltic in preparation for gas pipeline
• Forty years of farmed salmon … and one genetic mystery
• Endangered turtle flies home, in passenger cabin of commercial airplane

Comments