Question

What is the Gaidukov phenomenon?

Answer 1

Gaidukov phenomenon is a phenomenon that is related to photosynthesis. In simple words, Photosynthesis is basically defined as the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to obtain oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.

Complete answer:
Gaidukov phenomenon is defined as the phenomenon which takes place in algae. It is the phenomenon in which algae absorbs most of the light which helps to perform photosynthesis. It takes place in blue-green algae and is also well known as chromatic adaptation.

In group I strains, the biliprotein composition is not changed at all by the spectral quality of light in which they are grown up, i.e. they lack chromatic adaptation.

In group II strains, only the phycoerythrin content of the cells is changed by the light quality. It is very low in red light and high in green light. Phycocyanin content always remains high in cells grown under any kind of light.

In group III strains, the synthesis of both the major biliproteins is changed by the spectral composition of the light. Just like the previous group, their phycoerythrin content is very high under the green light and low under the red, but their phycocyanin content, while still substantial in the green light, is 1.6 to 3.7 times higher in the case of red light. Of 69 strains that were examined, 25 were in group I, 13 in group II and 31 in group III.

Note: Gaidukov's phenomenon or the complementary chromatic adaptation-Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are able to adaptively change the colour of the body according to varying wavelengths of the available light, e.g., Trichodesmium erythraeum. It is known as the red sea causing algae.