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In the past 20 years, there has been considerable progress in understanding the source of in
vivo fluorescence and of the processes that regulate the yield of fluorescence. Our present
challenge is to use this knowledge to provide a better foundation for interpreting in vivo
fluorescence data. Clearly the quantum yield of fluorescence is variable, under the control
of many physiological processes. Our knowledge of these processes is sufficient to define the
complexity of the problem (relating yield to rates or physiological state) and to provide
quantitative information only under narrowly defined experimental conditions. Our lack of
knowledge on variations in the processes controlling fluorescence yield between species
(particularly between algal classes) and depending on previous growth history of the sample
are the major obstacles to a more general and quantitative interpretation of fluorescence data.
Without question, this should be a major component of future research in this area.
Using several techniques, it is possible to quantify the individual components of
photochemical and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching in any algal sample. With
proper scaling of the fluorescence, it is possible to directly compare measurements between
physically different samples and to assess the effects of experimental treatments (light,
nutrient addition, etc). With knowledge of the processes controlling fluorescence yield in
hand, it should be possible to use the components of fluorescence quenching to evaluate any
process that has a direct or indirect effect on photosynthesis. At present, application of these
types of techniques to flow cytometry is limited by the inability to scale fluorescence data
between individual cells due to differences in the properties of the cells. Further improvement
in multiparameter analyses may permit these properties to be quantified sufficiently to permit
direct comparison of fluorescence yield between cells.
REFERENCES
Anderson JM, Barrett J (1986) Light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes of algae. In
Staehelin AL, Arntzen CJ, eds. Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, New Series vol 19.
Springer-Verlag, Berlin pp. 269-285
Bates SS (1985) Sample conditioning for measurement of fluorescence induction of
chlorophyll a in marine phytoplankton. J Plankton Res 7:703-714
Bates SS, Platt, T (1984) Fluorescence induction as a measure of photosynthetic capacity:
response of Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae) and Dunaliella tertiolecta
(Chlorophyceae). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 18:67-77
Bates SS, Platt T (1985) Fluorescence induction of chlorophyll a in the Sargasso Sea and on
the Grand Banks: correlation with photosynthetic capacity. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 27:29-38
In the past 20 years, there has been considerable progress in understanding the source of in
vivo fluorescence and of the processes that regulate the yield of fluorescence. Our present
challenge is to use this knowledge to provide a better foundation for interpreting in vivo
fluorescence data. Clearly the quantum yield of fluorescence is variable, under the control
of many physiological processes. Our knowledge of these processes is sufficient to define the
complexity of the problem (relating yield to rates or physiological state) and to provide
quantitative information only under narrowly defined experimental conditions. Our lack of
knowledge on variations in the processes controlling fluorescence yield between species
(particularly between algal classes) and depending on previous growth history of the sample
are the major obstacles to a more general and quantitative interpretation of fluorescence data.
Without question, this should be a major component of future research in this area.
Using several techniques, it is possible to quantify the individual components of
photochemical and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching in any algal sample. With
proper scaling of the fluorescence, it is possible to directly compare measurements between
physically different samples and to assess the effects of experimental treatments (light,
nutrient addition, etc). With knowledge of the processes controlling fluorescence yield in
hand, it should be possible to use the components of fluorescence quenching to evaluate any
process that has a direct or indirect effect on photosynthesis. At present, application of these
types of techniques to flow cytometry is limited by the inability to scale fluorescence data
between individual cells due to differences in the properties of the cells. Further improvement
in multiparameter analyses may permit these properties to be quantified sufficiently to permit
direct comparison of fluorescence yield between cells.
REFERENCES
Anderson JM, Barrett J (1986) Light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes of algae. In
Staehelin AL, Arntzen CJ, eds. Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, New Series vol 19.
Springer-Verlag, Berlin pp. 269-285
Bates SS (1985) Sample conditioning for measurement of fluorescence induction of
chlorophyll a in marine phytoplankton. J Plankton Res 7:703-714
Bates SS, Platt, T (1984) Fluorescence induction as a measure of photosynthetic capacity:
response of Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae) and Dunaliella tertiolecta
(Chlorophyceae). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 18:67-77
Bates SS, Platt T (1985) Fluorescence induction of chlorophyll a in the Sargasso Sea and on
the Grand Banks: correlation with photosynthetic capacity. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 27:29-38