DISTRIBUTION OF CHARASOMES IN CHARA - REESTABLISHMENT AND LOSS IN DARKNESS AND CORRELATION WITH BANDING AND INORGANIC CARBON UPTAKE

Charasomes are complex structures found in the plasmalemma of the inte rnodal and branchlet cells of the algal genus Chara. They are lost whe n internodes are stored in the dark for prolonged periods. Prolonged d arkness results in the loss of the ability of internodes to form spati ally separated bands of low and high pH. Rates for the uptake of inorg anic carbon by the internodal cells are also diminished. The ability t o band is re-established 8 h after the reintroduction of a light regim e. Rates for the uptake of inorganic carbon begin to increase from 24 h. Charasomes reform over the period of 1-15 days after light, beginni ng as a simple cytoplasmic evagination and progressing toward a typica l complex morphology. The reestablishment of charasomes is correlated with an increase in the uptake of inorganic carbon from bicarbonate-co ntaining solutions.