Photosynthesis is the process in which plants take sunlight ✓ Solved
Photosynthesis is the process in which plants take sunlight energy and convert it into chemical energy (ATP). Using special organelles called chloroplasts, plants undergo a conversion that results in the formation of ATP, carbohydrates, and oxygen. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere as a byproduct. Plants are classified as autotrophs because they produce organic molecules like glucose from inorganic carbon dioxide. The formula for photosynthesis is as follows: 12H2O + 6CO2 → 6O2 + C6H12O6 + 6H2O.
In this lab, you will perform a leaf disk assay. First, you will carve leaf disks from plants and place them in a chamber. One chamber will contain distilled water, while the other will contain sodium bicarbonate. Next, you will evacuate the chamber of all gases. Your leaf disks should sink. Explain why they sink and understand why they float as photosynthesis takes place.
Activity: Leaf Disk Assay
1. Obtain 2 syringes and label them 1 and 2.
2. Separate the plungers from the bodies.
3. Cut 10 leaf disks from the plants.
4. Place the 10 disks into Chamber 1 and replace the plunger.
5. Obtain 20 mL of distilled water in a 50 mL beaker.
6. Expel the air from the chamber.
7. The leaf disks should sink after the air is removed.
8. Repeat steps for Chamber 2, substituting sodium bicarbonate for water.
9. Place the chambers in front of a light bank.
10. Every 2 minutes for 20 minutes, invert the chambers and count the number of disks floating.
Leaf disks should initially sink once the oxygen has been removed. As photosynthesis occurs, they will float again. The time required for a disk to float is an index of the net rate of photosynthesis. The formula to calculate the % number of disks floating (%NDF) is:
% NDF = (NDF/10) x 100
Activity: Hypothesis Generation
1. Generate a hypothesis about what you expect will happen in each chamber.
2. Calculate the % number of disks floating for both the Control (water) and Treatment (NaHCO3) groups using the data provided.
3. Neatly graph experimental results using graph paper, including a title and a legend.
4. State the overarching question addressed by the lab exercise.
5. Write your null (H0) and alternative (HA) hypotheses.
6. State your prediction in an “If…., then…” format based on your knowledge of photosynthesis.
7. Discuss the concerns of plant and conservation scientists about the effects of clear-cutting in combination with rising CO2 levels.
Lab Experiment Results
The following results were collected during the lab experiment:
| Time (min) | Treatment group NaHCO3 % NDF | Control group H2O % NDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0% | 30% |
| 4 | 0% | 60% |
| 6 | 0% | 70% |
| 8 | 0% | 90% |
| 10 | 0% | 90% |
| 12 | 0% | 90% |
| 14 | 0% | 90% |
| 16 | 0% | 100% |
| 18 | 0% | 100% |
Discussion and Analysis
The leaf disk assay demonstrates the principles of photosynthesis, showcasing how plants convert light energy into chemical energy. The experiment's results highlighted the importance of sodium bicarbonate as a source of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The chamber with sodium bicarbonate (Treatment) resulted in a higher percentage of floating disks compared to the distilled water (Control).
The percentage of disks floating in the NaHCO3 chamber increased significantly over time, indicating that photosynthesis was occurring at a higher rate due to the availability of CO2. In contrast, disks in the distilled water chamber did not exhibit the same rate of photosynthesis, as oxygen levels were not conducive to sustaining floating.
When analyzing the overarching question for this lab, it revolves around understanding the factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants. It investigates how varying levels of CO2 can affect the rate of photosynthesis, as observed in our results.
The null hypothesis (H0) states that there is no difference in the rate of photosynthesis between leaf disks in sodium bicarbonate and those in distilled water. The alternative hypothesis (HA) states that leaf disks in sodium bicarbonate will show a greater rate of photosynthesis than those in distilled water. My prediction is structured as follows: If leaf disks are exposed to sodium bicarbonate, then they will float faster than those in distilled water due to increased CO2 availability.
Concerning the environmental impact of clear-cutting and rising CO2 levels, plant and conservation scientists are particularly worried about the loss of biodiversity and the disturbance of carbon sinks. Deforestation can lead to increased CO2 levels, intensifying problems related to climate change. As forests are cleared, the capacity for these plants to absorb carbon dioxide diminishes, exacerbating the greenhouse effect and threatening ecological balance.
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