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8 - Temperature: Still an Enigmatic Driver in the Evolution and Physiology of Algae

from Part II - Physiology of Photosynthetic Autotrophs in Present-Day Environments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2024

By
Christian Wilhelm  and
Heiko Wagner
Edited by
Mario Giordano ,
John Beardall ,
John A. Raven  and
Stephen C. Maberly
Mario Giordano
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Ancona, Italy
John Beardall
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
John A. Raven
Affiliation:
University of Dundee
Stephen C. Maberly
Affiliation:
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster
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Summary

Unicellular phototrophs inhabit ecological niches ranging from extremely cold environments in polar or glacier regions to hot springs. This extremely broad spectrum of temperature tolerance is the consequence of specific adaptation responses acquired during evolution. The molecular mechanisms required to maintain high physiological activity under natural temperature conditions are not completely understood. Temperature adaptation in phototrophs is an important issue in algal biotechnology, as well as in climate prediction, because the algal response to an increased earth surface temperature strongly influences the global carbon budget. In this chapter, the mechanisms of temperature acclimation are summarised to identify potential targets for biotechnology or for improved climate prediction.

Keywords

acclimationadaptationgrowthmesophilephotosynthesispsychrophilethermophile
Type
Chapter
Information
Evolutionary Physiology of Algae and Aquatic Plants , pp. 136 - 150
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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