• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.103-119
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• 2015

Photosynthetic rates of the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus granii were measured by means of multicolor variable chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, single cell $^{14}C$ assimilation, and optical $O_2$ sensor measurements during light acclimatization of cultures grown at five different irradiances: 50, 150, 235, 332, and $450{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. Photo-acclimatization was evident from changes of cellular chlorophyll a content, growth rates, and light response curves. Each of the applied methods evaluates different parts and reactions in the photosynthetic apparatus, which makes a direct quantitative comparison of rates difficult, although a different degree of correlation were found between all three methods. However, when used in combination, they provide information about the internal relationship of photosynthetic pathways as well as the variation in photosynthetic capacity between individual cells within a single algal culture.