Photosynthesis 



393 



decomposition and resynthesis of glutamic acid can be demonstrated when one 

 transfers the heated extracts of Chlorella onto Chromatograph filter paper, develops 

 with phenol-citrate Solution, and sprays with ninhydrin in the Standard way. 



;'-amino 

 butvric acid 



• • * 



Alanine 



Fig. 8. Action of N 80 fluoride: 

 no difference aerobically and 

 anaerobically (phenol-citrate- 

 phosphate ; Whatman filter No. 1 

 unidimensional). 



As known test substances for the chromatogram, we have employed aspartic 

 acid, glutamic acid, alanine, and y-aminobutyric acid. The experimental runs in 

 Fig. 8 show that under its normal living conditions Chlorella contains little aspartic 

 acid, much glutamic acid, much alanine, and and no y-aminobutyric acid. We pre- 



# 



;-amino 

 butvric acid 



* • # * • 



Alanine 



Fig. 9. Action of N 1000 fluo- 

 ride; large difference aerobi- 

 cally and anaerobically (phenol- 

 citrate - phosphate ; Whatman 

 filter No. 1 unidimensional). 



sume that the glutamic acid is combined with the Chlorophyll, since normally 

 cultured cells contain one to two molecules of glutamic acid per molecule of Chloro- 

 phyll. In N 80 fluoride the glutamic acid decreases and appears as y-aminobutyric 

 acid. This result is obtained both anaerobically and aerobically, since at this high 

 concentration of fluoride no glutamic acid will be resynthesized. 



