Larkum and Weyrauch (1977) elucidated why the Chlorophyll a was inactive in red algae (and cyanobacteria) showing that most of the Chlorophyll a is attached to Photosystem I and is not in communication with Photosystem II (whereas phycobiliprotein is connected to both the photosystems). Blinks’s contribution to whole organism response to environmental stimuli In our view, Blinks’s most outstanding overall attribute was MK-0518 cell line his respect for the whole organism interacting with its environment and his seamless integration of knowledge from the molecular realm to the level of the whole organism. Blinks’s

deep JPH203 concentration understanding of the environment of algae may be why the present generation of ecologically oriented phycologists continue to appreciate his work (Fu and Bell 2003; Morand and Briand 1996; Pelletreau and Muller-Parker 2002; Sasaki et al. 2005; Stenck and Dethier Combretastatin A4 1994; Vadas

et al. 2004; Yano et al. 2004). A central part of his focus on the essence of critical problems was his profound understanding of the ecological context of the species and their ecosystems in which he worked. For example, it is clear that since red light is damped out of oceanic water within the first few meters, that red algae must generally live with green and blue light sources, so, of course, he tried monochromatic color lights of the ocean such as green Selleck ZD1839 and blue

versus surface red light for those living in very shallow waters (almost none are intertidal). Another example is the measurement by Blinks (1963) on the effects of changes in pH on photosynthesis by intertidal algae. As pointed out by John Raven (personal communication), this field is now a very popular field of research due to increasing interest in ocean acidification. His specimens were also fresher, thus providing clearer results as the healthiest of specimens frequently demonstrate, especially in the highly fragile red algae, which are so difficult to culture in the laboratory. During his many years at the Hopkins Marine Station, he was in the field almost daily, noting events and collecting algae. He chose to work and live at Pacific Grove because the field was immediately at hand literally in the back yard and surrounding him on three sides on the Pacific Grove-Carmel Peninsula. In his tribute to Blinks, Richard Eppley (2006) remembered him at the end of classes playing a giant kelp as a trumpet. We remember him clearly in the field during his mid-60s through his early 80s as very vigorously and enthusiastically collecting algae. He even had secret places in Hawaii and Florida where he obtained his giant cells.