The maximum growth rate hypothesis is correct for eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms, but not cyanobacteria

What is it about?

Phosphorus is an essential element for all living organisms. We show, for the first time, that across all photosynthetic organisms, the greater the maximum growth rate the greater the phosphorus content. We suggest that this is due to the requirement for more phosphorus-containing compounds that are directly or indirectly involved in the manufacture and functioning of the increased numbers of ribosomes (the cell’s protein-synthesizing machines) required to sustain these higher growth rates.

Featured Image