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Name: Nathan
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Date: N/A
Question:
There is a common bioloby laboratory activity where tobacco or corn is grown in the dark. The plant appears spindly, and is colored either yellow or white. Upon exposure to light, the plant turns green.

What is it about the light that allows the chlorophyl to be manufactured? Is there something with enzymes? Perhaps a gene repression process? Perhaps photo-oxidation of a suppressor protein?


Replies:
Dear Nathan,

Perhaps the following may be helpful:
http://www.life.uiuc.edu/govindjee/paper/gov.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss3/photosyn/biochem.html
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/biochemistry.html
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/photosynthesis_1/photosynthesis_1.html

Sincerely,

Anthony R. Brach


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