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Maintenance of High Photosynthetic Rates in Mesophyll Cells Isolated from Papaver somniferum¹

^a Laboratory of Chemical Biodynamics, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720

The establishment and maintenance of high rates of photosynthetic CO₂ incorporation in mesophyll cells of Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) depend on a regime of dark and light periods immediately following isolation, as well as carefully adjusted conditions of isolation. Analysis of the incorporation pattern of ¹⁴CO₂ by the isolated cells indicates an initial "stress-response" period of approximately 20 hours characterized by increased respiratory-type metabolism and diminished photosynthesis. Under the favorable regime, this period is followed by rapid recovery and the reinstatement of a metabolic state strikingly similar to that of intact leaves in which the initial rate of CO₂ incorporation is between 110 and 175 µmoles CO₂ fixed per mg chlorophyll per hour. The photosynthetic viability of these cells can be maintained for up to 80 hours.