A Comparison of CO_2 Uptake by the Green Algae Tetraedron minimum and Chlamydomonas monoica

摘要

The ability of the green alga Tetraedron minimum to acquire inorganic carbon from its environment was investigated and compared with that of Chlamydomonas monoica. T. minimum showed a higher affinity for bicarbonate ions than C. monoica, regardless of whether it was grown at high or low CO_2 concentrations. Furthermore, T. minimum was distinguished by the fact that it maintained a large intracellular pool of inorganic carbon. These features may explain why this alga is able to proliferate in alkaline conditions.