Date of Award
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Denis P. Maxwell
Second Advisor
Dr. Norman P.A. Hiiner
Third Advisor
Dr. Charles Trick
Abstract
Chlamydomonas raudensis Etti (UWO 241) is a psychrophilic alga isolated from Lake Bonney, Antarctica. Changes to selected aspects of the metabolism of UWO 241 in response to a shift from 10°C to 24°C were monitored over a prolonged period and during a 12 hour exposure followed by 54 hours of recovery at the growth temperature (12S-54R). During incubation at 24°C, PSII photochemical efficiencies decline, absorbed light energy is directed towards dissipative pathways and this alga dies. Photosynthetic parameters returned to control values during the recovery period of 12S-54R. The 12S-54R regime was used to assess the plasticity of other aspects of this alga’s biology in response to 12 hours of incubation at 24°C. While mRNA abundances displayed the most plasticity, the response of specific transcripts varied widely. The 12S-54R stress- recovery regime is a suitable framework for examining the plasticity of the effects of heat stress on this alga
Recommended Citation
Possmayer, Marc, "PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR EFFECTS OF INCUBATION AT 24°C ON THE ANTARCTIC ALGA CHLAMYDOMONAS RAUDENSIS ETTL (UWO 241)" (2009). Digitized Theses. 3898.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3898