Abstract Detail

Physiological Section

Cook, Craig [1], Told, Josh [1], Kopp, Olga [2].

Morphological plasticity of Fremyella diplosiphon in response to light and low-nutrient growth media.

All major cyanobacterial groups have chromatic adaptation to optimize photon capture. In this research, Fremyella diplosiphon SF33 was used to investigate phenotypic plasticity in response to low-nutrient media and wavelengths of light. Chromatic adaptation of Fremyella involves the production of phycoerythin under green light (resulting in red-brick color colonies) and production of Phycocyanin under red light (resulting in blue-green color colonies). These responses are striking for students that are learning for the first time about light harvesting by photosynthetic organisms, making this system very valuable for usage in the undergraduate teaching classroom. Previous research has shown that the RcaE gene has a regulatory role in the light-dependent changes in cell-shape and morphological characteristics in F. diplosiphon (Bordowitz and Montgomery, 2008). This research shows that in addition, the low-nutrient growth media could have an effect in the phenotypic plasticity of these filaments. This system is amenable for usage in inquiry-based learning exercises. Students can design their own experiments and study the organism under different light conditions analyzing a diversity of parameters.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Utah Valley University, Biology, 800 West University Parkway MS 179, Orem, UT, 84058-5999, USA
2 - Utah Valley University, Biology, 800 West University Parkway, MS 179, Orem, UT, 84058-5999, USA

Keywords:
Fremyella diplosiphon
Chromatic adaptation
Biology instruction
Light responses
Cyanobacteria.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPS001
Abstract ID:650