metabolite of chlorophyll. Research demonstrated that the same metabolite when fed to the worm Caenorhabditis elegans leads to increase in ATP synthesis upon light exposure, along with an increase in life span.

Furthermore, inoculation experiments suggest that mixotrophic Ochromonas danica (i.e., Golden algae)--and comparable eukaryotes--favor photoheterotrophy in oligotrophic (i.e., nutrient-limited) aquatic habitats. This preference may increase energy-use efficiency and growth by reducing