• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2001

The pineal gland of the bird occupies a key position in the phylogenetic evolution of this organ. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental changes of the pineal gland during post-hatching period in Korean pheasant. The pheasants were sacrificed at 1-day-, 1-month-, 2-month-, and 6-month-old after hatching. The morphological characteristics of a pineal glands were determined in all pheasants using light microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Connective tissue originated from the capsule divided the pineal parenchyma into incomplete lobules. The parenchyma was consisted of pinealocytes and supportive cells. These parenchymal cells were arranged in the forms of solid lobules as well as incomplete follicles. At the follicular lumen, membraneous lamellar complexes and blob -like structures were present. Pinealocyte, a predominent cell type, had euchromatic nucleus, and showed the segmental organization. The bulbous apical portion had scanty free ribosomes and occasional cilia associated with basal bodies. The constricted neck, transitional portion from apical to pericarya had junctional complexes with adjacent supportive cells, and had microtubules. Cell body contained abundant mitochondria, well-developed Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and free ribosomes. Basal processes extended from the base of the cell soma toward the basal lamina and contained 60∼90 nm dense cored vesicles. Supportive cells, another major type of the parenchyma, were characterized by the dense and elongated nucleus, and contained moderate number of mitochondria, RER, developed Golgi complex, free ribosomes and a few dense bodies in the perinuclear cytoplasm. Slender processes of supportive cells interposed between the pinealocytes and often bordered the basal region of the parenchyma. These results indicate that the pinealocytes of the pheasant are not rudimentary photoreceptor cells, and appear to have secretory function. Further studies will be required to confirm the morphological characteristics of pineal gland in adult pheasant during breeding and nonbreeding season.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2011

Rhodopsin is a membrane protein with seven transmembrane region which contains a retinal as its chromophore. Although there have been recently reports on various photo-biochemical features of rhodopsins by a wide range of purifying and measurement methods, there was no actual comparison related to the difference of biochemical characteristics according to their physical environment of rhodopsins. First, proteorhodopsin (PR) was found in marine proteobacteria whose function is known for pumping proton using light energy. Second one is Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (Nostoc sp.) PCC7120 (ASR) which belongs to eubacteria acts as sensory regulator since it is co-expressed with transducer 14 kDa in an operon. In this study, we applied two types of rhodopsins (PR and ASR) to various environmental conditions such as in Escherichia coli membranes, membrane in acrylamide gel, in DDM (n-dodecyl-${\beta}$-D-maltopyranoside), OG (octyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside), and reconstituted with DOPC (1,2-didecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine). According to the light-induced difference spectroscopy, rhodopsins in 0.02% DDM clearly showed photointermediates like M, and O states which respond to the different wavelengths, respectively and showed the best signal/noise ratio. The laser-induced difference spectra showed the fast formation and decay rate of photointermediates in the DDM solubilized samples than gel encapsulated rhodopsin. Each of rhodopsins seemed to be adapted to its surrounding environment.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2000

Spiders usually have poor vision but not the jumping spiders. Their eight eyes are located on its distinctive box-shaped head and relatively well developed. The Spiders were fixated with 3% glutaraldehyde and thin section was performed with ultra-microtome. The specimens were observed with light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Eye area of jumping spider is competed of three rows. The first eye row comprise four eyes. Among them, two anterior median eyes are the largest and two anterior lateral eyes are relatively small. The former are main-eyes and have excellent vision. The second row, which has the two smallest eyes, is located about midway between the first and third rows. The third row is about half-way back on the thorax and eyed of which are middle size. To investigate ultrastructure of salticid spiders'eye, Menemerus fulvus was chosen. All of Menemerus fuvus's eyes are composed of cornea, lens, vitreous body and retina in histologically. Cornea layer, linked to exocuticle of exoskeleton. is regular layer structure without any cell tripe. Lenses are biconvex type. Retinas comprise well developed microvilli-shape rhabdomeres, unpigmented supporting cells, and pigmented cell. Retinas of anterior median eyes are surrounded by circular cylinder-shaped vitreous body, photoreceptor, i.e. rhabdomeres, of it is irregularly arranged compared to the other eyes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2013

BACKGROUND: The incandescent bulb and compact fluorescent lamp are widely using as a light sources for daylength extension of chrysanthemum. But, these light sources consume a lot of electricity and have short longevity. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semi conductor light source. LEDs have many advantages over incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime. In this study, we investigated the intensity of red light to control flowering of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum cv. "Shinma") by using LEDs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The red (660 nm) and far-red (730 nm) light were irradiated subsequently to investigate photo-reversible flowering responses of chrysanthemum. The flowering of chrysanthemum was inhibited by night interruption with red light but subsequently irradiated far-red light induced the flowering of chrysanthemum. This photoreversibility, reversion of the inductive effect of a brief red light pulse by a subsequent far-red light pulse, is a property of photo responses regulated by the plant photoreceptor phytochrome B. Four different intensity of red light of 0.7, 1.4, 2.1, and $2.8{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ (PAR) were irradiated at growth room in order to determine the threshold for floral inhibition of chrysanthemum. Over $1.4{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ of the red lights irradiated chrysanthemums were not flowered. The plant length, fresh weight, number of leaves, and leaf area of chrysanthemum irradiated with red light were increased by 17%, 36%, 11%, and 48%, respectively, compared to those of compact fluorescent lamp. CONCLUSION(S): The red light and subsequential far-red light showed that the photoreversibility on flowering of chrysanthemum. The red light ($1.4{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ of red LEDs) and white light (50 Lux of compact fluorescent lamp) have the same effect on inhibition of flowering in chrysanthemum. Additionally, the red light increased the plant height and dry weight of chrysanthemum.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 1989

Mitochondria in L. edodes were separated and purified by stepped sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In our previous work, we have found that the activation wavelengths of the mitochondrial ATPase and ATP synthase were 680 nm and 470 nm within the range of 400-700 nm, respectively. The activities of the above enzymes with wavelengths of 300-400 nm region were investigated. The mitochondrial ATPase and ATP synthase were stimulated at 380 nm and 330 nm, respectively, for 30 min illumination compared with dark control group. They, however, were inhibited at 330 nm and 350 nm, respectively. The presence of FAD resulted in inhibition of the activity of the ATPase and stimulation of the activity of the ATP synthase by the activation and inhibition wavelengths. However, the activities of these enzymes were not changed by NADH for the above wavelengths. In the spectral properties, the oxidation of $FADH_2$ into FAD occurs in the presence of the enzymes for illumination of the activation and inhibition wavelengths. Therefore, we can predict that the mitochondrial ATPase and ATP synthase may function as oxidant in the redox reaction by the light illumination and that the light-induced pigment of the mitochondrial ATP synthase should be an oxidized form of a flavoprotein.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.1.1-1.5
• /
• 2009

Many organisms control their physiology and behavior in response to the local light environment, which is first perceived by photoreceptors that undergo light-dependent conformational changes. Phytochromes are one of the major photoreceptors in plants, controlling wide aspects of plant physiology by recognizing the light in red (R) and far-red (FR) spectra. Higher plants have two types of phytochromes; the photo-labile type I (phyA in Arabidopsis) and photo-stable type II (phyB-E in Arabidopsis). Phytochrome B (phyB), a member of the type II phytochromes in Arabidopsis, shows classical R and FR reversibility between the inter-convertible photoisomers, Pr and Pfr. Interestingly, the Pr and Pfr isomers show partitioning in the cytosol and nucleus, respectively. In the over 50 years since its discovery, it has been thought that the type II phytochromes only function to mediate R light. As described in the text, we have now discovered phyB has an active function in FR light. Even striking is that the R and FR light exert an opposite effect. Thus, FR light is not simply nullifying the R effect but has an opposing effect to R light. What is more interesting is that the phyB-mediated actions of FR and R light occur at different cellular compartment of the plant cell, cytosol and nucleus, respectively, which was proven through utilization of the cytosolic and nuclear-localized mutant versions of phyB. Our observations thus shoot down a major dogma in plant physiology and will be considered highly provocative in phytochrome function. We argue that it would make much more sense that plants utilize the two isoforms rather than only one form, to effectively monitor the changing environmental light information and to incorporate the information into their developmental programs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.27-40
• /
• 2009

Six strains of Phycomyces blakesleeanus (DEL, A56, C9, C47, C111, and G5) were cultured in continuous light condition for 6 days. The increase in fresh and dry weight after the culture period was similar in all strains. However, the increase in fresh weight was sustained throughout the culture period in all strains, whereas the increase in dry weight was prominent only during the first 3 days of culture. The development and phototropism of macrophores was observed after 3 days of culture, These results suggest that the development and phototropism is ascribed to the increase in turgor pressure in sporangiophores where water entered. A56 and G5 showed a higher sensitivity to light than C9 and C47, whereas C111 showed no photosensitivity. Antagonistic relations were observed between photosensitivity and development of microphores, suggesting that the development and phototropism of macrophores is regulated by a common recognition factor (photoreceptor).

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 1989

Mitochondria in the L. edodes was separated and purified by stepped sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The activity of mitochondrial ATP synthase has been investigated during various illumination times at each wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 700 nm. The stimulation of above activity increased by two times compared with nonilluminated control group when the illumination was given for 15 seconds at 470 nm wavelength. The optimal pH and temperature of this light-induced mitochondrial ATP synthase were 7.5 and $54^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activity of this enzyme increased by 26%, 25% and 14%, respectively, when there were 1 mmole $Fe^{3+}$, 0.5 mmole $Fe^{2+}$, and 5 mmole ${SO_4}^{2-}$ ion, and was inhibited by 5 mmole $Co^{2+}$, 5 mmole $Mn^{2+}$, 1 mmole $Ca^{2+}$, 0.1 mmole $Na^+$, 5 mmole $CN^-$, and 0.1 mmole ${CO_3}^{2-}$ ion. But $Na^+$ and $K^+$ ion did not affect the activity of enzyme.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.312-318
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND: Photoreversibility, a reversion of the inductive effect of a brief red light pulse by a subsequent far red light pulse, is a property of photo responses regulated by the plant photoreceptor phytochrome B. Plants use photoreceptors to sense photo signal and to adapt and modify their morphological and physiological properties. Phytochrome recognizes red light and far red light and plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development. METHODS AND RESULTS: The reversal responses of growth and fruiting characteristics were investigated to increase the yield of oriental melon (Cucumis Melo L. var. Kumsargakieuncheon) by means of controlling light quality in a plastic house. Red (R:660nm) and far red (FR:730nm) lights were subsequently irradiated on the whole stems and leaves of the oriental melon plant during growing periods, using red and far red LEDs as light sources, from 9:00 PM daily for 15 minutes. The intensities of R and FR light were 0.322-0.430 μmol m-2s-1 and 0.250-0.366 μmol m-2s-1, respectively. Compared to R light irradiation, combination of R and FR light irradiation increased the length of internode, number of axillary stems, number of female flowers, and fruit number of oriental melons. The results of treatment with R were similar to R-FR-R light irradiation in terms of length of internode, number of axillary stems, number of female flowers, and number of fruits. When FR treatment was considered, R-FR and R-FR-R-FR light irradiation had similarities in responses. These reversal responses revealed that oriental melon showed a photoreversibility of growth characteristics, flowering, and fruiting. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the possibility of phytochrome regulation of female flower formation and fruiting in oriental melon. The fruit weight of the oriental melon was the heaviest with the R light irradiation, while the number of fruits was the highest with the FR light. With the FR light irradiation, the fruit weight was not significantly higher compared to that of the control. Meanwhile, the yield of oriental melon fruits increased by 28-36% according to the intensities of the FR light due to the increases of the number of fruits.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.111-131
• /
• 1972

Fine structures of retina of an ommatidium in dragonfly, having eyes of closed rhabdom type, were studied under light and electron microscopes. The ommatidia consisted of eight retinular cells distributed in a circular pattern and the retinular layer in turn can be divided into three sublayers according to the number of cells in the retina. Each retinular cell has different starting points in the retina and the length of retinular cells is varied greatly; the length of one distal retinular cell shows one half of that of others. In the middle layer, three proximal retinular cells interconnect the adjacent two rhabdoms which are triangular in the appearence of the cross section which in turn consisted of tubular, parallel and lamellated microvilli. The rhabdom is formed by three rhabdomeres, each of which is separated by $120^{\circ}$ between them, but they can be distinguished into two parts according to electron density. Around the outer part of microvilli composing rhabdom, electron density was much less than the inner part of the structure. The microvilli of the inner part appear to be connected to the cytoplasm of retinular cells. Rough endoplsmic reticulum with enlarged cisternae runs through the vacuoles in the outer part of distal retinular cells. Abundant mitochondria concentrated in the vicinity of rhabdom are found at the central part of the retinular cells, while in the area of immediate vicinity of the rhabdom, prominent vacuoles are observed. Above the rhabdom of an ommtidium stands a crystalline cone which is consisted of four cone cells arranged radially along the axis. The crystalline cone is surrounded by cells containing pigment granules. The outermost photoreceptor element of an ommatidium is corneal lens.