Chapter category: Circadian Rhythms
Algae: The Microbial Clockwork Green
Chapter authors:
Carl Hirschie Johnson
Eukaryotic algae have long served as model systems for analyses of circadian (daily) rhythms of rhythmic gene expression, cell division timing, taxes, photosynthesis, and other phe- nomena. Many of the fundamental properties of circadian clocks at the cellular level were first elucidated in algae. Circadian timekeepers enhance the fitness of algae and may contribute to seasonal responses. This chapter will provide an overview to circadian phenomena in algae (both eukaryotic and prokaryotic) with an especial emphasis on basic concepts and on species of algae that are not discussed in other chapters.
