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Chlorophyll a fluorescence: can it shed light on fundamental questions in photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation?
Author(s) -
SIVAK MIRTA N.,
WALKER DAVID A.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1985.tb01679.x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , chlorophyll fluorescence , carbon fixation , carbon dioxide , chlorophyll , carbon assimilation , fluorescence , botany , biophysics , biology , chlorophyll a , assimilation (phonology) , biological system , physics , ecology , optics , linguistics , philosophy
A close, immediate and precise relationship between chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthetic carbon assimilation in vivo is demonstrated. The examples discussed include kinetics displayed during dark to light transitions plus oscillations and transients observed during changes in the gas phase surrounding the leaf. Remaining uncertainties surrounding the relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis are attributed to the underlying complexity of the regulatory mechanisms involved. Examples are also given that show how multiple simultaneous measurements of different aspects of the photosynthetic process may contribute to the resolution of these uncertainties. The practical relevance of these matters is also discussed, particularly in relation to the limitations of the photosynthetic process and to the use of chlorophyll fluorescence as a diagnostic probe of chemical and genetic manipulation and stress.