418 



BIOLUMINESCENCE IN GONYAULAX POLYEDRA 



fluctuation pattern in luminescence has been observed a number of 

 times and appears to be independent of the time of day at which 

 cultures are placed in darkness. Instrumental fluctuations and varia- 

 tions between duplicates were of the order of 2-4% and could not 

 account for the changes observed. 



Cell suspensions placed in white light after an optimum dark adap- 

 tation time (5-6 hr) showed a progressive decrease in luminescence 



z 

 o 



t- 

 < 



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m 



z 

 o 

 a. 

 «n 



UJ 



a: 



UJ 



o 



CO 



UJ 



20 40 60 



MINUTES IN WHITE LIOHT 



100 



Fig. 2. Decrease in luminescence of Gonyaulax polyedra suspensions upon ex- 

 posure of dark-adapted cells to 700 ft-c white light. The cells were grown 

 in the light and placed in darkness for 6 hours prior to irradiation. Relative 

 light emission prior to dark adaptation was 0.75. 



