Summary
Photosynthetic gas exchange measurements and 14CO2-fixation experiments were performed with Antarctic Prasiola crispa and Nostoc commune at low temperatures. In the case of Prasiola photosynthetic activity was found as low as-15°C, wile with Nostoc photosynthesis was suppressed below-5°C. At decreasing temperatures the metabolism of Prasiola is modified to enhance sugar phosphate synthesis, which might serve as a protective agent against freezing. The fixation pattern of Nostoc did not change near the freezing point; the total sugar phosphates amounted to approximately 50% at all temperatures tested. The differences observed may be explained by the different environments of the two algae.
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Becker, E.W. Physiological studies on antarctic Prasiola crispa and Nostoc commune at low temperatures. Polar Biol 1, 99–104 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263806
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263806