title: A mechanistic model of photosynthesis in microalgae.
abstract: A dynamic model of photosynthesis is developed, accounting for factors such as photoadaptation, photoinhibition, and the "flashing light effect." The model is shown to explain the reported photosynthesis-irradiance responses observed under various conditions (constant low light, constant intense irradiance, flashing light, diurnal variation in irradiance). As significant distinguishing features, the model assumes: (1) The stored photochemical energy is consumed in an enzyme-mediated process that obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics; and (2) photoinhibition has a square-root dependence on irradiance. Earlier dynamic models of photosynthesis assumed a first-order dependence of photoinhibition on irradiance and different kinetics of consumption of the stored energy than used in this work. These earlier models could not explain the photosynthesis-irradiance behavior under the full range of irradiance scenarios-a shortcoming that is overcome in the model developed in this work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: F Camacho
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: F García
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: J M Fernández
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sevilla
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chisti
authors.forename: E Molina
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Grima
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003624:Darkness; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017440:Photoperiod; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*