Effect of Chlorophyllase on Photochemical Activities of Isolated Chloroplasts

Abstract

In order to study the nature of association of chlorophyll molecules to photosynthetic apparatus and its relationship to photochemical reactions, chloroplasts were treated with chlorophyllase and its effect on the activity of the Hill reaction was investigated. Action of chlorophyllase on photochemical activities of chloroplast fragments was observed in the presence of an organic solvent. NADP photoreduction is more sensitive to the treatment with chlorophyllase than DPIP** photoreduction. The ratio of fluorescence emission intensities at 690 and 730mμ at liquid nitrogen temperature was increased after chlorophyllase treatment. These observations suggest that chlorophyll molecules belonging to the photosystem 1 is more susceptible to the treatment with chlorophyllase than those belonging to the photosystem 2.