The role of endosymbiotic algae in photoaccumulation of green Paramecium bursaria

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The endosymbiotic unit of Paramecium bursaria with Chlorella sp. photoaccumulates in white, blue-green, and red light (λParamecia never do. The intensity of photoaccumulation depends on both the light fluence rate and the size of the symbiotic algal population. Photoaccumulation can be stopped completely with 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport. Hence the photosynthetic pigments of the algae act as receptors of the light stimulus for photomovement and a close connection must exist between photosynthesis of the algae and ciliary beating of the Paramecium.