Practicals from Chapter 6 Plant Nutrition: ATP Notes
Practical: Investigating Photosynthesis
Apparatus List
● Potted plant or leaves
● Dark cupboard or aluminium foil
● Beaker
● Bunsen burner
● Forceps
● Test tube
● Ethanol (alcohol)
● Boiling water
● Iodine solution
● White tile
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure the plant is properly destarched before starting the experiment.
● Handle ethanol with care as it is flammable; keep it away from open flames.
● Use forceps to handle the hot leaf to avoid burns.
● Ensure good ventilation when boiling ethanol to avoid inhaling fumes.
● Handle iodine solution carefully to avoid stains and skin contact.
Procedure
Destarching a Plant
1. Place a potted plant in darkness for 2-3 days to destarch the leaves. Alternatively, wrap the leaves
in aluminium foil for 2 days while they are still on the plant.
2. Test one of the leaves after destarching to ensure no starch is present.
Testing a Leaf for Starch
1. Heat water to boiling point in a beaker and then turn off the Bunsen flame.
2. Use forceps to dip a leaf in the hot water for about 30 seconds to kill the cytoplasm and denature
the enzymes.
3. Push the leaf to the bottom of a test tube and cover it with ethanol. Place the tube in the hot water.
The alcohol will boil and dissolve most of the chlorophyll.
4. Pour the green alcohol into a spare beaker and remove the leaf. Dip the leaf once more into the
hot water to soften it.
5. Spread the decolorized leaf flat on a white tile and drop iodine solution onto it. The parts
containing starch will turn blue; parts without starch will stain brown or yellow.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against chemical splashes.
● Ensure the Bunsen burner is turned off before handling ethanol.
● Handle hot water and ethanol with care to avoid burns.
● Use forceps to handle hot leaves.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling ethanol fumes.
Hazard Level
● Moderate: The main hazards involve handling hot liquids, flammable ethanol, and iodine
solution. Standard laboratory safety practices are essential.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Starch Test: If the leaf turns blue with iodine, it indicates the presence of starch, confirming that
photosynthesis has occurred.
● No Starch Production: If the leaf does not turn blue, it indicates that photosynthesis has not
occurred.
Control Experiments
● Without Chlorophyll: Use a variegated leaf with both green and white areas. Only the green
areas containing chlorophyll should turn blue, indicating starch production.
● Without Sunlight: Cover a part of the leaf with opaque material to block light. Only the exposed
part should turn blue.
● Without Carbon Dioxide: Place a plant in an environment with no carbon dioxide (using a
solution that absorbs CO₂). The leaves should not turn blue.
Explanation
● Hypothesis: Plants make their food by photosynthesis, producing sugars that are often converted
to starch.
● Equation:
● Uptake of carbon dioxide and water
○ Production of glucose (or starch)
○ Release of oxygen
● Variables: The experiments alter only one variable (chlorophyll, light, or carbon dioxide) while
keeping others constant to ensure the results are due to the specific variable being tested.
This practical provides a clear method for testing the hypothesis that photosynthesis produces starch,
demonstrating the necessity of chlorophyll, light, and carbon dioxide for the process to occur.
1. Experiment: Is Chlorophyll Necessary for Photosynthesis?
Apparatus List
● Variegated leaf (green and white parts)
● Plant with variegated leaves
● Dark cupboard or aluminium foil for destarching
● Beaker
● Bunsen burner
● Forceps
● Test tube
● Ethanol (alcohol)
● Boiling water
● Iodine solution
● White tile
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure the variegated leaf is properly destarched before starting the experiment.
● Handle ethanol with care as it is flammable; keep it away from open flames.
● Use forceps to handle the hot leaf to avoid burns.
● Ensure good ventilation when boiling ethanol to avoid inhaling fumes.
● Handle iodine solution carefully to avoid stains and skin contact.
Procedure
1. Destarching the Plant: Place a potted plant with variegated leaves in darkness for 2-3 days to
destarch the leaves. Alternatively, wrap the leaves in aluminium foil for 2 days while they are still
on the plant.
2. Expose to Light: After destarching, expose the plant to daylight for a few hours.
3. Drawing the Leaf: Carefully draw the variegated leaf, noting the green (chlorophyll-containing)
and white (chlorophyll-lacking) areas.
4. Testing for Starch:
○ Heat water to boiling point in a beaker and then turn off the Bunsen flame.
○ Use forceps to dip the leaf in the hot water for about 30 seconds to kill the cytoplasm and
denature the enzymes.
○ Push the leaf to the bottom of a test tube and cover it with ethanol. Place the tube in the
hot water. The alcohol will boil and dissolve most of the chlorophyll.
○ Pour the green alcohol into a spare beaker and remove the leaf. Dip the leaf once more
into the hot water to soften it.
○ Spread the decolorized leaf flat on a white tile and drop iodine solution onto it. The parts
containing starch will turn blue; parts without starch will stain brown or yellow.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against chemical splashes.
● Ensure the Bunsen burner is turned off before handling ethanol.
● Handle hot water and ethanol with care to avoid burns.
● Use forceps to handle hot leaves.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling ethanol fumes.
Hazard Level
● Moderate: The main hazards involve handling hot liquids, flammable ethanol, and iodine
solution. Standard laboratory safety practices are essential.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: Only the parts that were previously green turn blue with iodine. The parts that were white
stain brown.
● Interpretation:
○ Since starch is present only in the parts that originally contained chlorophyll, it suggests
that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis.
○ This result supports the hypothesis that chlorophyll is required for the process of
photosynthesis, as only the green areas (with chlorophyll) produced starch.
Alternative Explanations
● It is possible that starch is made in the green parts while sugar is made in the white parts.
● Further experiments would be needed to rule out these alternative interpretations and confirm the
necessity of chlorophyll in photosynthesis.
This practical demonstrates that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis, as evidenced by the
production of starch only in the chlorophyll-containing (green) parts of the variegated leaf.
[Link]: Is Light Necessary for Photosynthesis?
Apparatus List
● Destarched plant with broad leaves
● Aluminium foil
● Scissors
● Tape or paper clips to attach the stencil
● Iodine solution
● White tile
● Forceps
● Beaker
● Bunsen burner
● Test tube
● Ethanol (alcohol)
● Boiling water
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure the plant is properly destarched before starting the experiment.
● Handle ethanol with care as it is flammable; keep it away from open flames.
● Use forceps to handle the hot leaf to avoid burns.
● Ensure good ventilation when boiling ethanol to avoid inhaling fumes.
● Handle iodine solution carefully to avoid stains and skin contact.
● Ensure the stencil is securely attached to avoid light leakage.
Procedure
1. Destarching the Plant: Place a potted plant in darkness for 2-3 days to destarch the leaves.
2. Prepare the Stencil: Cut a simple shape from a piece of aluminium foil to make a stencil.
3. Attach the Stencil: Attach the stencil to a destarched leaf using tape or paper clips, ensuring that
part of the leaf is covered while other parts are exposed to light (Figure 6.4(a)).
4. Expose to Light: Expose the plant to daylight for 4 to 6 hours.
5. Testing for Starch:
○ Heat water to boiling point in a beaker and then turn off the Bunsen flame.
○ Use forceps to dip the leaf in the hot water for about 30 seconds to kill the cytoplasm and
denature the enzymes.
○ Push the leaf to the bottom of a test tube and cover it with ethanol. Place the tube in the
hot water. The alcohol will boil and dissolve most of the chlorophyll.
○ Pour the green alcohol into a spare beaker and remove the leaf. Dip the leaf once more
into the hot water to soften it.
○ Spread the decolorized leaf flat on a white tile and drop iodine solution onto it. The parts
containing starch will turn blue; parts without starch will stain brown or yellow.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against chemical splashes.
● Ensure the Bunsen burner is turned off before handling ethanol.
● Handle hot water and ethanol with care to avoid burns.
● Use forceps to handle hot leaves.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling ethanol fumes.
Hazard Level
● Moderate: The main hazards involve handling hot liquids, flammable ethanol, and iodine
solution. Standard laboratory safety practices are essential.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: Only the areas which had received light turn blue with iodine, while the areas covered by
the aluminium foil remain brown (Figure 6.4(b)).
● Interpretation:
○ As starch has not formed in the areas that received no light, it suggests that light is
necessary for the formation of starch, and thus for photosynthesis.
Control Experiments
● To rule out the possibility that the aluminium foil was blocking carbon dioxide rather than light, a
further control could be designed using a transparent material instead of aluminium foil for the
stencil. This would allow light to pass through while still providing a physical barrier.
This provides evidence that light is necessary for photosynthesis, as indicated by the production of starch
only in the areas of the leaf that were exposed to light.
[Link]: Is Carbon Dioxide Necessary for Photosynthesis?
Apparatus List
● Two destarched potted plants
● Polythene bags
● Soda-lime (for absorbing CO2)
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (for producing CO2)
● Dishes for holding soda-lime and sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
● Iodine solution
● White tile
● Forceps
● Beaker
● Bunsen burner
● Test tube
● Ethanol (alcohol)
● Boiling water
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure the plants are properly destarched before starting the experiment.
● Handle ethanol with care as it is flammable; keep it away from open flames.
● Use forceps to handle the hot leaf to avoid burns.
● Ensure good ventilation when boiling ethanol to avoid inhaling fumes.
● Handle iodine solution carefully to avoid stains and skin contact.
● Securely seal the polythene bags to prevent external air from affecting the experiment.
Procedure
1. Destarching the Plants: Place the potted plants in darkness for 2-3 days to destarch the leaves.
2. Prepare the Experimental Setups:
○ Water both destarched plants.
○ Enclose the shoots of both plants in separate polythene bags.
○ Place a dish of soda-lime in one pot to absorb carbon dioxide from the air (experimental
setup).
○ Place a dish of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution in the other pot to produce carbon
dioxide (control setup).
3. Expose to Light: Place both plants in the light for several hours.
4. Testing for Starch:
○ Heat water to boiling point in a beaker and then turn off the Bunsen flame.
○ Use forceps to dip a leaf from each plant in the hot water for about 30 seconds to kill the
cytoplasm and denature the enzymes.
○ Push the leaves to the bottom of separate test tubes and cover them with ethanol. Place
the tubes in the hot water. The alcohol will boil and dissolve most of the chlorophyll.
○ Pour the green alcohol into a spare beaker and remove the leaves. Dip the leaves once
more into the hot water to soften them.
○ Spread the decolorized leaves flat on a white tile and drop iodine solution onto them. The
parts containing starch will turn blue; parts without starch will stain brown or yellow.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against chemical splashes.
● Ensure the Bunsen burner is turned off before handling ethanol.
● Handle hot water and ethanol with care to avoid burns.
● Use forceps to handle hot leaves.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling ethanol fumes.
Hazard Level
● Moderate: The main hazards involve handling hot liquids, flammable ethanol, and iodine
solution. Standard laboratory safety practices are essential.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The leaf from the plant with sodium hydrogencarbonate (containing CO2) turns blue with
iodine, indicating the presence of starch. The leaf from the plant with soda-lime (no CO2) does
not turn blue, indicating the absence of starch.
● Interpretation:
○ The presence of starch in the leaf exposed to carbon dioxide suggests that CO2 is
necessary for photosynthesis.
○ The lack of starch in the leaf without carbon dioxide supports the hypothesis that CO2 is
required for the process.
Control Considerations
● The control setup with sodium hydrogencarbonate ensures that normal photosynthesis can occur
when CO2 is present.
● This experiment rules out other factors such as high humidity or temperature within the plastic
bag as causes for the absence of starch in the experimental setup.
This practical demonstrates that carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis, as indicated by the
production of starch only in the leaves exposed to CO2.
[Link]: Is Oxygen Produced During Photosynthesis?
Apparatus List
● Beaker
● Short-stemmed funnel
● Canadian pondweed (e.g., Elodea)
● Test-tube
● Water
● Support to keep funnel off the bottom of the beaker
● Light source (sunlight or lamp)
● Dark cupboard (for control)
● Glowing splint
Precautions
● Ensure the funnel is raised above the bottom of the beaker to allow water circulation.
● Make sure the test-tube is filled with water and placed correctly over the funnel stem to avoid
trapping air bubbles.
● Handle the glowing splint with care to avoid burns.
● Ensure proper lighting conditions for both experimental and control setups.
Procedure
1. Set Up the Apparatus:
○ Place a short-stemmed funnel over some Canadian pondweed in a beaker of water.
○ Fill a test-tube with water and place it upside-down over the funnel stem. Ensure the
funnel is raised above the bottom of the beaker to allow water to circulate (Figure 6.6).
2. Experimental Setup:
○ Place the beaker in sunlight or under a strong light source.
○ Observe bubbles of gas appearing from the cut stems of the pondweed and collecting in
the test-tube.
3. Control Setup:
○ Set up a similar apparatus but place it in a dark cupboard to prevent light exposure.
4. Collecting Gas:
○ After sufficient gas has collected in the test-tube from the plant in the light, carefully
remove the test-tube while keeping it inverted to avoid losing the gas.
5. Testing for Oxygen:
○ Insert a glowing splint into the test-tube.
○ Observe whether the glowing splint bursts into flames.
Safety Measures
● Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from splashes.
● Handle the glowing splint with care to avoid burns.
● Ensure the apparatus is stable to prevent spills or accidents.
● Keep the light source at a safe distance to avoid overheating.
Hazard Level
● Low: The main hazards involve handling the glowing splint and ensuring stable setup of
glassware. Standard laboratory safety practices are sufficient.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The glowing splint should burst into flames when inserted into the test-tube containing
gas collected from the plant in the light.
● Interpretation:
○ The relighting of the glowing splint indicates that the gas collected in the test-tube
contains oxygen.
○ Since oxygen is given off only in the light, this suggests that oxygen production is
associated with photosynthesis.
○ The control setup in the dark should not produce gas bubbles or relight a glowing splint,
confirming that light is necessary for oxygen production in photosynthesis.
Notes on Gas Composition
● While the relighting of a glowing splint does not prove that the gas is pure oxygen, it does
indicate the presence of a significant amount of oxygen.
● Be aware that water contains dissolved gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) that may diffuse
into or out of the bubbles as they pass through the water and collect in the test-tube. This could
slightly alter the composition of the gas collected compared to the gas initially produced by the
plant.
This experiment demonstrates that oxygen is produced during photosynthesis, as evidenced by the
collection of gas in the light and the relighting of a glowing splint in the test-tube containing the gas.
[Link]: Effect of Light Intensity on the Rate of Photosynthesis (Method 1)
Apparatus List
● Beaker or boiling tube
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate
● Spatula
● Fresh piece of Canadian pondweed (e.g., Elodea)
● Scalpel blade
● Modelling clay or paperclip
● Light source (lamp)
● Ruler
● Stopwatch
● Pen or pencil
● Sheet of paper
Precautions
● Ensure the pondweed is fresh and cut at an angle to increase the surface area for gas exchange.
● Stir the sodium hydrogencarbonate thoroughly to ensure it dissolves completely.
● Keep the distance between the light source and the plant consistent for each measurement.
● Allow the plant to adjust to new light intensities before taking measurements.
Procedure
1. Preparation:
○ Prepare a beaker of water or a boiling tube and stir in a spatula end of sodium
hydrogencarbonate until it dissolves completely.
○ Cut one end of the Canadian pondweed stem using a scalpel blade.
○ Attach a piece of modelling clay or a paperclip to the stem and place it in the beaker or
boiling tube, ensuring the cut end is facing upwards.
2. Initial Setup:
○ Set up a light source 10 cm away from the beaker and switch on the lamp (Figure 6.7).
○ Count the number of bubbles emerging from the cut end of the plant stem over a fixed
time period (e.g., 1 minute) and record the result. Repeat the count for accuracy.
3. Varying Light Intensity:
○ Move the light source to 20 cm away from the beaker, switch on the lamp, and allow the
plant to adjust for a few minutes.
○ Count the bubbles as before and record the results.
○ Repeat this procedure for at least five different distances, recording the number of
bubbles each time.
○ As a control, switch off the lamp and observe any changes in bubble production.
4. Recording and Plotting Data:
○ Convert the distances (D) to light intensity using the formula: Light Intensity = 1 / D².
○ Plot a graph with light intensity (x-axis) against the rate of photosynthesis (bubbles per
minute, y-axis).
5. Heat Control (Optional):
○ To control for heat from the bulb, place another beaker of water between the bulb and the
plant to act as a heat filter while allowing light to pass through.
6. Alternative Counting Method:
○ If bubbles appear too rapidly to count, tap a pen or pencil on a sheet of paper at the same
rate as the bubbles appear. Have a partner slide the paper slowly along for 15 seconds,
then count the dots to estimate the rate of bubble production (Figure 6.8).
Safety Measures
● Handle the scalpel blade with care to avoid cuts.
● Ensure the light source does not overheat and cause burns.
● Avoid direct eye exposure to the light source to prevent eye strain or damage.
● Handle the beakers and boiling tubes with care to avoid spills and breakage.
Hazard Level
● Low: The main hazards involve handling sharp tools (scalpel blade) and ensuring the light source
does not overheat.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The rate of bubble production should decrease as the distance of the lamp from the plant
increases. When the light is switched off, bubble production should stop.
● Interpretation:
○ Assuming the bubbles contain oxygen produced by photosynthesis, an increase in light
intensity results in an increased rate of photosynthesis, indicated by a higher rate of
bubble production.
○ The light energy is used by the plant to drive photosynthesis, producing oxygen as a
waste product, which escapes through the cut stem.
○ The decrease in bubble production with increased distance of the light source suggests
that light intensity directly affects the rate of photosynthesis.
The experiment demonstrates the relationship between light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis,
highlighting the importance of light as a crucial factor in the photosynthetic process.
[Link]: Effect of Light Intensity on the Rate of Photosynthesis (Method 2)
Apparatus List
● Leaf discs from land plants
● Cork borer
● Beaker or petri dish
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
● Light source (lamp)
● Ruler
● Stopwatch
● Tweezers
● Syringe
● Water
Precautions
● Use fresh, healthy leaves to ensure accurate results.
● Ensure that the leaf discs are completely submerged in the sodium hydrogencarbonate solution.
● Handle the leaf discs with tweezers to avoid contamination or damage.
Procedure
1. Preparation of Leaf Discs:
○ Use a cork borer to cut out several leaf discs from a healthy land plant.
○ Place the leaf discs in a syringe and fill the syringe with sodium hydrogencarbonate
solution.
○ Hold the syringe upright, cover the open end with your thumb, and pull the plunger to
create a vacuum. This will help to remove any air from the leaf discs, causing them to
sink.
○ Repeat this step until all the leaf discs sink to the bottom of the syringe.
2. Initial Setup:
○ Transfer the leaf discs to a beaker or petri dish containing fresh sodium
hydrogencarbonate solution.
○ Set up a light source at a fixed distance (e.g., 10 cm) from the beaker or petri dish.
3. Measuring the Rate of Photosynthesis:
○ Switch on the lamp and start the stopwatch.
○ Observe and record the time it takes for each leaf disc to float to the surface. This
indicates the accumulation of oxygen due to photosynthesis.
4. Varying Light Intensity:
○ Move the light source to a new distance (e.g., 20 cm) and allow the leaf discs to adjust to
the new light intensity for a few minutes.
○ Repeat the observation and recording of the time taken for the leaf discs to float.
○ Continue this process for at least five different distances, recording the time taken for the
leaf discs to float at each distance.
5. Plotting Data:
○ Calculate the rate of photosynthesis by determining the time taken for the leaf discs to
float at each light intensity.
○ Convert the distances (D) to light intensity using the formula: Light Intensity = 1 / D².
○ Plot a graph with light intensity (x-axis) against the rate of photosynthesis (time taken for
leaf discs to float, y-axis).
Safety Measures
● Handle the cork borer with care to avoid cuts.
● Ensure the light source does not overheat to prevent burns.
● Avoid direct eye exposure to the light source to prevent eye strain or damage.
● Handle the sodium hydrogencarbonate solution with care to avoid spills and skin contact.
Hazard Level
● Low: The main hazards involve handling sharp tools (cork borer) and ensuring the light source
does not overheat.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The time taken for the leaf discs to float should decrease as the light source is moved
closer, indicating an increase in the rate of photosynthesis with higher light intensity.
● Interpretation:
○ As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases, leading to a higher
accumulation of oxygen in the leaf discs.
○ The buoyancy of the leaf discs increases as oxygen accumulates, causing them to float to
the surface.
○ The decrease in time taken for the leaf discs to float with increased light intensity
suggests that light is a critical factor in the rate of photosynthesis.
This method provides an alternative approach to measure the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis,
utilizing leaf discs and their buoyancy as an indicator of oxygen production and photosynthetic activity.
[Link]: Effect of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Rate of Photosynthesis
Apparatus List
● 20 cm³ syringe
● Capillary tube
● Pondweed (e.g., Elodea)
● Distilled water
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (various concentrations)
● Lamp
● Ruler
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure the pondweed stems are freshly cut to maintain optimal photosynthetic activity.
● Avoid trapping air bubbles in the syringe to ensure accurate measurements.
● Maintain a consistent distance between the lamp and the syringe to control light intensity.
● Handle sodium hydrogencarbonate solution carefully to avoid spills and skin contact.
Procedure
1. Remove the plunger from the 20 cm³ syringe.
2. Place two or three pieces of pondweed, with freshly cut stems facing upwards, into the syringe
barrel.
3. Hold a finger over the end of the capillary tube and fill the syringe with distilled water.
4. Replace the plunger, turn the apparatus upside down, and push the plunger to the 20 cm³ mark,
ensuring no air is trapped.
5. Arrange the apparatus as shown in Figure 6.10, and move the syringe barrel until the meniscus is
near the top of the ruler's graduations.
6. Position the lamp a fixed distance (e.g., 10 cm) from the syringe.
7. Switch on the lamp and measure the distance the meniscus moves over 3 minutes. Repeat several
times and calculate the average distance.
8. Repeat the procedure with different concentrations of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution: 0.010,
0.0125, 0.0250, 0.0500, and 0.1000 mol dm⁻³.
9. Plot a graph with the concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution on the x-axis and the
mean distance traveled by the meniscus on the y-axis.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against contact with sodium hydrogencarbonate
solution.
● Ensure good ventilation when handling the solution.
● Handle glassware and the capillary tube carefully to avoid breakage.
● Use caution when operating the lamp to prevent burns.
Hazard Level
● Low: The main hazards are related to handling the sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and the
lamp. Standard laboratory safety practices are sufficient.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The higher the concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, the greater the
distance moved by the meniscus.
● Interpretation:
○ Sodium hydrogencarbonate releases carbon dioxide when dissolved in water, providing
more CO₂ for photosynthesis.
○ The movement of the meniscus in the capillary tube is due to the oxygen produced by the
pondweed during photosynthesis.
○ As the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases,
resulting in more oxygen production and a greater distance moved by the meniscus.
Graph Interpretation
● X-axis: Concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (mol dm⁻³)
● Y-axis: Mean distance traveled by the meniscus (mm or cm)
● Trend: The graph should show a positive correlation, indicating that higher concentrations of
CO₂ lead to increased photosynthetic activity.
This practical demonstrates the direct relationship between carbon dioxide concentration and the rate of
photosynthesis, highlighting the importance of CO₂ in the photosynthetic process.
[Link]: Effect of Changing Temperature on the Rate of Photosynthesis
Apparatus List (based on Experiment 6)
● Leaf discs from land plants
● Cork borer
● Beaker or petri dish
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
● Thermometer
● Water bath or hot plate/stirrer
● Ruler
● Stopwatch
● Tweezers
● Syringe
● Water
Precautions
● Handle the hot water or water bath with care to avoid burns.
● Ensure accurate temperature readings with a calibrated thermometer.
● Use fresh, healthy leaves for consistent results.
Procedure
1. Preparation of Leaf Discs:
○ Use a cork borer to cut out several leaf discs from a healthy land plant.
○ Place the leaf discs in a syringe and fill the syringe with sodium hydrogencarbonate
solution.
○ Hold the syringe upright, cover the open end with your thumb, and pull the plunger to
create a vacuum. This will help to remove any air from the leaf discs, causing them to
sink.
○ Repeat this step until all the leaf discs sink to the bottom of the syringe.
2. Initial Setup:
○ Transfer the leaf discs to a beaker or petri dish containing fresh sodium
hydrogencarbonate solution.
○ Set up a water bath or hot plate/stirrer with water and adjust the temperature to a desired
starting point (e.g., 20°C).
3. Measuring the Rate of Photosynthesis:
○ Immerse the beaker or petri dish containing leaf discs in the water bath or place it on the
hot plate/stirrer.
○ Start the stopwatch and observe and record the time it takes for each leaf disc to float to
the surface. This indicates the accumulation of oxygen due to photosynthesis.
4. Varying Temperature:
○ Adjust the temperature of the water bath or hot plate/stirrer to the next desired
temperature (e.g., 25°C).
○ Allow the leaf discs to adjust to the new temperature for a few minutes and repeat the
observation and recording of the time taken for the leaf discs to float.
○ Continue this process for at least five different temperatures, recording the time taken for
the leaf discs to float at each temperature.
5. Plotting Data:
○ Calculate the rate of photosynthesis by determining the time taken for the leaf discs to
float at each temperature.
○ Plot a graph with temperature (x-axis) against the rate of photosynthesis (time taken for
leaf discs to float, y-axis).
Safety Measures
● Handle the hot water or water bath with care to avoid burns.
● Ensure the hot plate/stirrer is turned off when not in use to prevent overheating.
● Use tweezers to handle the leaf discs to avoid contamination and damage.
Hazard Level
● Low to Moderate: Hazards include handling hot water or using hot plates, which require careful
attention to prevent burns.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Result: The time taken for the leaf discs to float should vary with temperature, indicating a
change in the rate of photosynthesis.
● Interpretation:
○ As temperature increases, the rate of photosynthesis initially increases due to enzyme
activity and metabolic reactions speeding up.
○ Beyond an optimal temperature (usually around 25-30°C for many plants),
photosynthesis may decrease due to enzyme denaturation or other temperature-related
stress factors.
○ The graph should show a bell-shaped curve, with an optimal temperature for
photosynthesis efficiency.
This experiment provides insights into how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis using leaf discs
as indicators of oxygen production. Adjusting temperature allows for the exploration of
temperature-dependent metabolic processes and their impact on photosynthetic activity.
Practical: Effects of Light and Dark on Gas Exchange in Plants pg 74 in the book
Apparatus List
● Three boiling tubes
● Hydrogencarbonate indicator solution
● Tap water
● Distilled water
● Canadian pondweed (equal-sized pieces)
● Stoppers for the boiling tubes
● Bench lamp
● Black box or dark cupboard or aluminium foil
● Stopwatch or timer
Precautions
● Ensure boiling tubes are thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination.
● Handle the hydrogencarbonate indicator solution carefully to prevent spills.
● Use equal-sized pieces of pondweed to ensure consistency in the experiment.
● Properly seal the boiling tubes with stoppers to prevent gas exchange with the outside air.
● Handle the bench lamp and aluminium foil carefully to avoid burns or cuts.
Procedure
1. Wash three boiling tubes first with tap water, then with distilled water, and finally with
hydrogencarbonate indicator.
2. Fill the boiling tubes to about two-thirds full with hydrogencarbonate indicator solution.
3. Add equal-sized pieces of Canadian pondweed to tubes 1 and 2.
4. Seal all three tubes with stoppers.
5. Expose tubes 1 and 3 to light using a bench lamp.
6. Place tube 2 in a black box, a dark cupboard, or wrap it in aluminium foil to ensure it is kept in
the dark.
7. After 24 hours, observe and record the color of the hydrogencarbonate indicator in each tube.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against splashes from the hydrogencarbonate indicator
solution.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling any fumes from the indicator solution.
● Handle glass boiling tubes carefully to avoid breakage.
● Use caution when handling the bench lamp to avoid burns.
Hazard Level
● Low: The main hazards involve handling glassware and the indicator solution. Standard
laboratory safety practices should be sufficient.
Expected Results and Interpretation
● Tube 1 (plant in light): The indicator should turn purple, indicating a decrease in carbon dioxide
levels due to photosynthesis.
● Tube 2 (plant in dark): The indicator should turn yellow, indicating an increase in carbon
dioxide levels due to respiration.
● Tube 3 (control, no plant): The indicator should remain pink/red, showing no change in carbon
dioxide levels as no gas exchange occurs.
Explanation
● Hydrogencarbonate Indicator: A mixture of dilute sodium hydrogencarbonate solution with
dyes (cresol red and thymol blue) that changes color based on pH levels, which are affected by
the presence of carbon dioxide.
○ Increase in CO2: Turns indicator yellow (more acidic).
○ Decrease in CO2: Turns indicator purple (less acidic).
● In Light (Tube 1): The pondweed uses up more CO2 for photosynthesis than it produces in
respiration, resulting in a decrease in CO2 and a purple indicator.
● In Dark (Tube 2): The pondweed only undergoes respiration, producing CO2 and turning the
indicator yellow.
● Control (Tube 3): Shows that the presence of the plant is responsible for changes in the indicator
color, confirming the plant's role in gas exchange.
This practical demonstrates the effects of light and dark on the gas exchange in plants, highlighting the
roles of photosynthesis and respiration in carbon dioxide levels.
Practical: Importance of Different Mineral Elements in Plant Growth pg 83 of the book
Apparatus List
● Test tubes
● Aluminium foil
● Cotton wool
● Wheat seedlings
● Culture solutions (complete and with specific mineral deficiencies)
● Distilled water
● Measuring tools (ruler or caliper)
● Containers for drying samples
● Oven (set to 110°C)
● Balance for weighing
Precautions
● Ensure all equipment is clean to avoid contamination.
● Use distilled water to avoid introducing unwanted minerals.
● Cover the tubes properly with aluminium foil to prevent algae growth.
● Label all test tubes clearly to avoid confusion between different solutions.
● Handle seedlings gently to avoid damaging them.
Procedure
1. Place wheat seedlings in test tubes containing different culture solutions. These solutions include
a complete culture and solutions lacking specific minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus,
magnesium, and calcium.
2. Cover the test tubes with aluminium foil to block light and prevent algae growth.
3. Leave the seedlings to grow for several weeks, regularly topping up the solutions with distilled
water.
4. Observe and record the growth of the seedlings in terms of height, leaf size, and color.
5. Measure quantitative results such as shoot height, total leaf length, and root length.
6. For dry weight measurements:
○ Collect shoots and roots from each type of culture and place them in labeled containers.
○ Dry the samples in an oven at 110°C for 24 hours.
○ Weigh the dried shoots and roots.
Safety Measures
● Wear gloves and lab coat to protect against possible skin irritation from culture solutions.
● Handle aluminium foil carefully to avoid cuts.
● Use caution when using the oven to prevent burns.
● Ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling any fumes from the drying process.
Hazard Level
● Low to Moderate: General laboratory safety measures should suffice. The main hazards include
handling sharp objects (aluminium foil), potential skin irritation from chemicals, and burn risk
from the oven.
Results Interpretation
● The healthy plants in the complete culture act as a control, demonstrating normal growth.
● Plants lacking specific minerals will show deficiencies:
○ Nitrogen deficiency: Stunted growth, small, pale leaves.
○ Magnesium deficiency: Small plants with yellow leaves due to lack of chlorophyll.
○ Phosphorus deficiency: Poor root development and delayed maturity.
○ Calcium deficiency: Weak cell walls and distorted new growth.
● Quantitative measurements, such as shoot and root length and dry weight, provide a more precise
assessment of the impact of mineral deficiencies.
This practical illustrates the essential role of various mineral elements in plant growth, highlighting the
importance of a balanced nutrient supply for healthy plant development.