Experiments to Show the Necessity of Factors for Photosynthesis
1. Experiment: To Show that Sunlight is Necessary for Photosynthesis
Objective:
To prove that sunlight is necessary for the process of photosynthesis.
Materials Required:
- A healthy potted plant (e.g., money plant or china rose)
- Black paper or foil
- Clips or cellotape
- Beaker
- Alcohol (ethanol)
- Iodine solution
- Water
- Burner or hot water bath
- Forceps or tongs
Procedure:
1. Keep the plant in complete darkness for 2-3 days to destarch it.
2. Cover part of a leaf with black paper on both sides.
3. Place the plant in sunlight for 4-6 hours.
4. Pluck the leaf, boil it in water to kill it.
5. Boil the leaf in alcohol in a hot water bath to remove chlorophyll.
6. Rinse the leaf in warm water and pour iodine solution on it.
Observation:
- Exposed part turns blue-black (starch present).
- Covered part remains brown (no starch).
Conclusion:
Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis.
Experiments to Show the Necessity of Factors for Photosynthesis
2. Experiment: To Show that Carbon Dioxide is Necessary for Photosynthesis
Objective:
To prove that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.
Materials Required:
- Two healthy potted plants
- Two bell jars
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution
- Corks with test tube holders
- Vaseline
- Alcohol, iodine solution, water, burner
Procedure:
1. Destarch both plants by keeping them in darkness for 2-3 days.
2. Place each in a separate bell jar. Put KOH in one to absorb CO2; water in the other.
3. Seal jars with vaseline. Place both in sunlight for 4-6 hours.
4. Pluck one leaf from each plant. Test with iodine after boiling and alcohol steps.
Observation:
- Leaf from CO2-available plant turns blue-black.
- Leaf from CO2-absorbed plant does not change.
Conclusion:
Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.
3. Experiment: To Show that Water is Necessary for Photosynthesis
Objective:
To prove that water is required for photosynthesis.
Experiments to Show the Necessity of Factors for Photosynthesis
Materials Required:
- Two similar potted plants (one watered, one dry)
- Sunlight
- Alcohol, boiling water, iodine solution, burner
Procedure:
1. Water one plant, leave the other dry for 2-3 days.
2. Keep both in sunlight for 4-6 hours.
3. Pluck a leaf from each. Test with boiling, alcohol, and iodine.
Observation:
- Leaf from watered plant turns blue-black.
- Leaf from dry plant does not change.
Conclusion:
Water is essential for photosynthesis.
4. Experiment: To Show that Chlorophyll is Necessary for Photosynthesis
Objective:
To prove that chlorophyll is required for photosynthesis.
Materials Required:
- A variegated leaf plant (e.g., croton)
- Sunlight
- Alcohol, boiling water, iodine solution, burner
Procedure:
1. Destarch the plant by keeping it in darkness for 2-3 days.
2. Expose it to sunlight for 4-6 hours.
3. Pluck a variegated leaf. Mark green and white areas.
Experiments to Show the Necessity of Factors for Photosynthesis
4. Boil the leaf in water, then in alcohol, and test with iodine.
Observation:
- Green parts turn blue-black.
- White parts do not change color.
Conclusion:
Chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis.