Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
09:13
Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements
Published on: July 13, 2016
32.1K
Micronutrient content drives elementome variability amongst the Symbiodiniaceae
Emma F Camp1, Matthew R Nitschke2,3, David Clases4,5
1Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia. emma.camp@uts.edu.au.
BMC Plant Biology
|April 9, 2022
Summary
Symbiodiniaceae algae possess unique elemental compositions (elementomes) that differ from other marine algae. Elevated temperatures can homogenize these elementomes, suggesting a response to warming.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Biogeochemistry
- Symbiotic algae research
Background:
- Organisms are chemical substances interacting with their environment.
- Elemental quotas (elementomes) are key indicators of organismal success.
- Elementomes of Symbiodiniaceae, including coral endosymbionts, are largely undescribed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if Symbiodiniaceae isolates have unique, evolutionarily conserved elementomes.
- To determine the impact of elevated temperature on Symbiodiniaceae elementomes.
- To test if Symbiodiniaceae conform to established stoichiometric hypotheses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of six macronutrients and nine micronutrients in ten Symbiodiniaceae isolates.
- Utilized dry combustion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Assessed elementome changes in three isolates under elevated temperatures.
Main Results:
- Symbiodiniaceae isolates displayed highly divergent elementomes, mainly due to micronutrient differences.
- Nitrogen:Phosphorus (N:P) and Carbon:Phosphorus (C:P) ratios were below Redfield values; Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) was near Redfield.
- Elevated temperatures led to a more homogenized elementome across isolates, with increased micronutrient content.
Conclusions:
- Symbiodiniaceae elementomes differ from other marine algae, characterized by lower C:N:P ratios and distinct micronutrient profiles.
- Long-term nutrient-replete culturing revealed evolutionarily conserved elemental uptake preferences.
- Increased micronutrient content in response to warming suggests a potential elemental signature of thermal stress.
Keywords:
DinoflagellatesElemental phenotypingElementomeMacronutrients; Micronutrients; Redfield ratioSymbiodiniaceaeMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
22.3K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
22.3K
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
42.4K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
42.4K
01:28Microbial Nutrition
434
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
434
02:34Water and Mineral Acquisition
33.8K
Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
33.8K
01:20Tonicity in Plants
31.3K
Plant cells maintain appropriate osmotic balance in extreme conditions. For instance, plants in dry environments store water in vacuoles, limit the opening of their stoma, and have thick, waxy cuticles to prevent unnecessary water loss. Some species of plants that live in salty environments store salt in their roots. As a result, water osmosis occurs in the root from the surrounding soil.
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
31.3K
01:47Osmoregulation in Insects
16.7K
Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
16.7K