Date of Award:

5-1-1981

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Life Sciences:Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Gene W. Miller

Committee

Gene W. Miller

Committee

George W. Welkie

Committee

Thomas M. Farley

Abstract

In vivo 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was found to accumulate in the highest concentration during induced-greening by light flashes, in 8- to 9-day-old etiolated barley leaves, 4.5 and 9.0 hrs after light induction. Maximal concentrations of ALA were accumulated using 75 to 100 mM levulinic acid (LA), a competitive inhibitor of ALA-dehydratase. Only small quantities of ALA were detected in LA-treated tissues incubated in the dark. Protoheme concentrations increased significantly following two flashes of light, 9.0 and 24 hrs after light induction. Similar increases in protoheme were observed after 24 hrs of continuous light compared to no increase in dark controls. The content of protoheme seems to be a reflection of ALA availability. The chlorophyll content after 24 hr continuous illumination was about 100 times greater than that of photoconvertable protochlorophyllide accumulated in etiolated leaves. Research suggests that protoheme and chlorophyll may share the ALA produced in etiolated barley during induction with light.

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