In this study, we demonstrated the photochemical changes before and after colony formation. In the laboratory, light curves showed that colonies were more responsive to high light than single cells. The values of the maximal slope of electron transport rate (ETR)—light curve (α), relative maximal electron transport rate (rETRmax), and onset of light saturation (Ik) of colonies were significantly higher than those of single cells (P < 0.05), indicating that colonies

have higher photosynthetic capability than single cells, especially in high light, where values of rETRmax and Ik of colonies were 2.32 and 2.41 times those of single cells. Moreover, the dark-light experiments showed that colonial cells can more effectively resist darkness damage. In addition, pigments of colonial cells were higher than those of PDGFR inhibitor single cells (P < 0.05). The higher pigment contents probably contribute to higher photosynthetic capability. In the field, the inhibition rate of Fv/Fm in single cells increased significantly

faster than that of colonies selleck screening library as light increased (P < 0.05), but nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) value of colonies was higher (32.4%) than that of single cells at noon, which indicated colonial cells can more effectively resist high-light inhibition than single cells (P < 0.05). Polysaccharides of colonies were significantly Progesterone higher compared to those in unicellular cells (P < 0.05) based on their contents and ultrastructural characteristics. This finding implies that colonies could not effectively decrease photoinhibition by negative buoyancy regulation. In fact, NPQ may be an important mechanism for avoiding photodamage. All of these phenomena can help explain the ecological success of colonial M. aeruginosa in eutrophic water. "
“The attachment of the psammophytic alga Caulerpa mexicana Sond. ex Kütz., a coenocytic green alga, to crushed CaCO3

particles was examined utilizing the scanning electron microscope and fluorescently tagged antivitronectin antibodies. Plants attached to the substrate through morphologically variable tubular rhizoidal extensions that grew from the stolon. In this study, we describe two means of attachment: (i) the rhizoid attachment to limestone gravel by thigmoconstriction, where tubular extensions of the rhizoid wrapped tightly around the substrate and changed morphology to fit tightly into crevices in the limestone, and (ii) through adhesion pads that formed in contact with the limestone granules. Flattened rhizoidal pads were observed to secrete a fibrillar material that contained vitronectin-like proteins identified through immunolocialization and that facilitated binding of the rhizoid to the substrate. “
“The diazotrophic cyanobacteria Trichodesmium spp. contribute approximately half of the known marine dinitrogen (N2) fixation.