Abstract
Influences of light and darkness on l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) seedlings were studied. Light initiates both an increase in enzyme activity (or enzyme synthesis) and a subsequent decrease in activity. These dual influences of light create cyclic changes in l-phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in continuous light. The cyclic changes in activity (during continued light) cannot be attributed to an endogenous rhythm and rather are related to the changes in balance between the enzyme activity and its inactivating system.