Final answer:
Fv/Fm is a parameter used in fluorometry to measure photosynthetic efficiency. It is calculated by subtracting the minimal fluorescence from the maximal fluorescence in a dark-adapted state and then dividing by the maximal fluorescence. The measurements can be taken using a spectrofluorometer with specific instructions for chemical additions and spectral measurements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Fv/Fm, which stands for the variable fluorescence (Fv) over the maximum fluorescence (Fm), is a crucial parameter used in chlorophyll fluorometry to assess the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in plants. In a DIY Imaging Fluorometer, (Fm - Fo)/Fm represents Fv/Fm, where 'Fm' is the maximal fluorescence yield of a dark-adapted plant, and 'Fo' is the minimal fluorescence yield from a dark-adapted state. The calculation is simple: subtract the initial fluorescence (Fo) from the maximum fluorescence (Fm) and then divide the result by the maximum fluorescence (Fm). To measure these fluorescence levels, you can follow steps like setting the spectrofluorometer, measuring synchronous spectra after consecutive additions of a substance like levofloxacin, and calculating the changes in fluorescence observed.