Distribution of Charasomes in Chara: Re-establishment and Loss in Darkness and Correlation with Banding and Inorganic Carbon Uptake

Abstract

Charasomes are complex structures found in the plasmalemma of the internodal and branchlet cells of the algal genus Chara. They are lost when internodes are stored in the dark for prolonged periods. Prolonged darkness results in the loss of the ability of internodes to form spatially separated bands of low and high pH. Rates for the uptake of inorganic carbon by the internodal cells are also diminished. The ability to band is re-established 8 h after the reintroduction of a light regime. Rates for the uptake of inorganic carbon begin to increase from 24 h. Charasomes reform over the period of 1-15 days after light, beginning as a simple cytoplasmic evagination and progressing toward a typical complex morphology. The re-establishment of charasomes is correlated with an increase in the uptake of inorganic carbon from bicarbonate-containing solutions.