Experiments with marine samples containing Prochlorococcus and other microorganisms showed that gene expression in non-photosynthetic organisms mirrored the diurnal oscillation pattern exhibited by Prochlorococcus, which is photosynthetic. What explanations did the researchers suggest for the diurnal expression pattern in the non-photosynthetic members of the community? Please select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis in Prochlorococcus generates nutrients that can be exploited by surrounding non-photosynthetic organisms. The researchers proposed that nutrient availability, which depends on photosynthesis in Prochlorococcus, is responsible for oscillation of gene expression in the non-photosynthetic organisms in the marine sample. Gene expression in various organisms can be regulated by diverse cues, such as environmental salinity and temperature. However, environmental salinity and temperature would not be expected to change markedly at depth and were not suggested as regulators in this case.

Experiments with Marine Samples Containing Prochlorococcus and Other Microorganisms Showed