Summary
A theoretical description of the simultaneous processes of photosynthesis and photorespiration in a single leaf is developed, based on the hypothesis that carbon dioxide and oxygen compete for the active site of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. Michaelis-Menten kinetics and competitive inhibition at the end of a diffusion path provide the basic structure of the model. Data of Ludwig (1972) from sunflower are analyzed according to the formulation. This description is part of a more general physiological-ecological model of photosynthesis presented previously (Tenhunen et al., 1976a, b) and continues to elaborate sub-processes in terms of physiologically meaningful parameters. The description is considered a working hypothesis. Data on photorespiration from the literature are reviewed as they relate to this working hypothesis. Several lines of investigation are thereby suggested that will help clarify the role of photorespiration in whole leaf photosynthesis and determine the over-all utility of this modeling approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Badger, M., Andrews, T.: Effects of CO2, O2, and temperature on a high-affinity form of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase from spinach. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm.60, 204–210 (1964)
Bahr, J., Jensen, R.: Ribulose diphosphate carboxylase from freshly ruptured spinach chloroplasts having an in vivoK m (CO2). Plant Physiol53, 39–44 (1974)
Bowes, G., Ogren, W., Hageman, R.: pH dependence of theK m (CO2) of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase.Plant Physiol.56, 630–633 (1975)
Charles-Edwards, D., Ludwig, L.: A model for leaf photosynthesis by C3 plant species. Ann. Bot.38, 921–930 (1974)
Chartier, P.: A model of CO2 assimilation in the leaf. In: Prediction and measurement of photosynthetic productivity, pp. 307–315. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Pudoc 1970
Chartier, P., Prioul, J.: The effects of irradiance, carbon dioxide and oxygen on the net photosynthetic rate of the leaf: A mechanistic model. Photosynthetica10, 20–24 (1976)
Chollet, R., Ogren, W.: Regulation of photorespiration in C3 and C4 species. Bot. Review41, 137–179 (1975)
Draper, N., Smith, H.: Applied regression analysis. New York: Wiley 1966
Forrester, M., Krotkov, G., Nelson, C.: Effect of oxygen on photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration in detached leaves. I. Soybean. Plant Physiol.41, 422–427 (1966)
Gibbs, M., Latzko, E., Everson, R., Cockburn, W.: Carbon metabolism: nature and formation of end products. In. Harvesting the sun: photosynthesis in plant life (A. San Pietro, F. Greer, T. Army, eds.), pp. 111–130. New York: Academic Press 1967
Hall, A.: Photosynthetic capabilities of healthy and beet yellow virus infected sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.) Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Davis (1970)
Jarvis, P.G.: The estimation of resistances to carbon dioxide transfer. In: Plant photosynthetic production, Manual of methods (Z. Sestak, J. Catsky, P. Jarvis, eds.), pp. 566–631. The Hague: Junk 1971
Jassby, A., Platt, T.: Mathematical formulation of the relationship between photosynthesis and light for phytoplankton. Limno. and Oceano.21, 540–547 (1976)
Joliffe, P., Tregunna, E.: Environmental regulation of the oxygen effect on apparent photosynthesis in wheat. Can. J. Bot.51, 841–853 (1973)
Jones, H., Slatyer, R.: Estimation of the transport and carboxylation components of the intracellular limitation to leaf photosynthesis. Plant Physiol.50, 283–288 (1972)
Keck R., Ogren, W.: Differential oxygen response of photosynthesis in soybean andPanicum milioides. Plant Physiol.58, 552–555 (1976)
Laing, W., Ogren, W., Hageman, R.: Regulation of soybean net photosynthetic CO2 fixation by the interaction of CO2, O2 and ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase. Plant Physiol.54, 678–685 (1974)
Laisk, A.: A model of leaf photosynthesis and photorespiration. In: Prediction and measurement of photosynthetic productivity, pp. 295–306. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Pudoc 1970
Lake, J.: Respiration of leaves during photosynthesis. I. Estimates from an electrical analogue. Aust. J. Biol. Sci.20, 487–493 (1967a)
Lake, J.: Respiration of leaves during photosynthesis. II. Effects on the estimation of mesophyll resistance. Aust. J. Biol. Sci.20, 495–499 (1967b)
Lake, J., Slatyer, R.: Respiration of leaves during photosynthesis. III. Respiration rate and mesophyll resistance in turgid cotton leaves, with stomatal control eliminated. Aust. J. Biol. Sci.23, 529–535 (1970)
Lommen, P., Schwintzer, C., Yocum, C., Gates, D.: A model describing photosynthesis in terms of gas diffusion and enzyme kinetics. Planta (Berl.)98, 195–220 (1971)
Lommen, P., Smith, S., Yocum, C., Gates, D.: Photosynthetic model. In: Perspectives of biophysical ecology (D. Gates, R. Schmerl, eds.), pp. 33–43. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1975
Ludlow, M.: Effect of oxygen concentration on leaf photosynthesis and resistances to carbon dioxide diffusion. Planta (Berl.)91, 285–290 (1970)
Ludwig, L.: The relationship between photosynthesis and respiration. In: Crop processes in controlled environments (A.R. Rees, K.E. Cockshull, D.W. Hand, R.G. Hurd, eds.), pp. 305–326. London-New York: Academic Press 1972
Ludwig, L., Canvin, D.: The rate of photorespiration during photosynthesis and the relationship of the substrate of light respiration to the products of photosynthesis in sunflower leaves. Plant Physiol.48, 712–719 (1971)
Newcomb, E., Frederick, S.: Distribution and structure of plant microbodies (peroxisomes). In: Photosynthesis and photorespiration (M.D. Hatch, C.B. Osmund R.O. Slatyer, eds.) pp. 442–457. New York: Wiley 1971
Ogren, W.: Control of photorespiration in soybean and maize. In: Environmental and biological control of photosynthesis, pp. 45–52. The Hague, Junk 1975
Ogren, W., Bowes, G.: Ribulose diphosphate carboxylase regulates soybean photorespiration. Nature230, 159–160 (1971)
Peisker, M., Apel, P.: Untersuchungen zum Einfluß von Sauerstoff auf den CO2-Gaswechsel assimilierender Blätter. Biochem. Physiol. Pflanzen (BPP)162, 165–176 (1971)
Prioul, J., Reyss, A., Chartier, P.: Relationships between carbon dioxide transfer resistances and some physiological and anatomical features. In. Environmental and biological control of photosynthesis, pp. 17–28. The Hague: Junk 1975
Samish, Y.B.: Oxygen build-up in photosynthesizing leaves and canopy is small. Photosynthetica9, 372–375 (1975)
Sanish, Y., Koller, D.: Estimation of photorespiration of green plants and of their mesophyll resistance to CO2 uptake. Ann. Bot.32, 687–694 (1968)
Schneider, K.: The Measurement of the true rate of photosynthesis with14CO2. Progress in Photosynthesis Research.1, 467–473 (1969)
Tenhunen, J., Yocum, C., Gates, D.: Development of a photosynthesis model with on ecological applications. I. Theory. Oecologia (Berl.)26, 89–100 (1976a)
Tenhunen, J., Weber, J., Yocum, C., Gates, D.: Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications. II. Analysis of a data set describing theP M Surface. Oecologia (Berl.)26, 101–119 (1976b)
Tregunna, E., Krotkov, B., Nelson, C.: Effect of oxygen on the rate of photorespiration in detached tobacco leaves. Physiol. Plant.19, 723–733 (1966)
Yemm, E.: Photorespiration and photosynthesis in young leaves of barkey. Progress in Photosynthesis Research1, 474–481 (1969)
Zelitch, I.: Increased rate of net photosynthetic carbon dioxide uptake caused by the inhibition of glycolate oxidase. Plant Physiol.41, 1623–1631 (1966)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tenhunen, J.D., Weber, J.A., Filipek, L.H. et al. Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications. Oecologia 30, 189–207 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01833627
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01833627