25th Annual Student Research Conference
The Effects of Ultraviolet C Radiation on Photosynthesis of the Bacterium Rosiflexus castenholzii
Dorian G. Shimotani
Dr. Marc Benson, Faculty Mentor
Rosiflexus castenholzii is an anoxygenic photosynthetic bacterium that belongs to the family Chloroflexaceae. R. castenholzii is a thermophile that is thought to have its origin deep within the tree of life. Life forms that are closely related to early primordial era life forms have a higher tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and utilize specific stress response pathways to protect against such exposure. Our hypothesis is that R. castenholzii can tolerate increased exposures to UV radiation and that the photosynthetic machinery is upregulated as a stress response to such exposures. The survivability of R. castenholzii to the exposure of UV radiation will be measured at various time periods. Photosynthesis will be evaluated indirectly by measuring the amount of photosynthetic pigments. By studying the tolerance of R. castenholzii to UV radiation, and how the photosynthetic machinery is affected by UV radiation, we can better understand the evolution of photosynthesis on Earth.
Keywords: UV radiation, photosynthesis, survivability, tolerance
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 200-11
Location: Georgian Room - SUB
Time: 3:30