Measuring The Rate Of Photosynthesis Using Spinach Leaf Disks
Backround
Photosynthesis is the critical link between the energy of the sun and the food, as well as the fuel we consume in our daily lives. Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere when they photosynthesize. You might be wondering where the oxygen comes from, well it comes from the water in the cells of the leaves. The oxygen from the leafs move into the atmosphere through small holes on the surface of the leaf, known as stomata. Leaf disks normally float because of its density, but when the spaces of air are filled with solution the density of the leaf disks overall increases and the disks no longer floats. As the leafs continue to photosynthesize, oxygen is released into the interior of …show more content…
Fill syringe with the solution of baking soda, soap, & water up to 30 cc
Push as much air out of the syringe, making sure there are no air bubbles
Create a vacuum by placing your finger over the tip of the syringe and tip the syringe downwards. Pull plunger every 10 seconds and turn syringe back up. Repeat this step until all of the disks sink.
Pour the disks and solution into a plastic cup. Add 3oz of more solution
Place under the light source and begin timer. Record the number of floating disks at each minute. Repeat until all disks are floating.
Results
A measure of Photosynthetic Rate in Leaf disks
Time
(min)
Trial 1 # of floating disks
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
1
0
Backround
Photosynthesis is the critical link between the energy of the sun and the food, as well as the fuel we consume in our daily lives. Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere when they photosynthesize. You might be wondering where the oxygen comes from, well it comes from the water in the cells of the leaves. The oxygen from the leafs move into the atmosphere through small holes on the surface of the leaf, known as stomata. Leaf disks normally float because of its density, but when the spaces of air are filled with solution the density of the leaf disks overall increases and the disks no longer floats. As the leafs continue to photosynthesize, oxygen is released into the interior of …show more content…
Fill syringe with the solution of baking soda, soap, & water up to 30 cc
Push as much air out of the syringe, making sure there are no air bubbles
Create a vacuum by placing your finger over the tip of the syringe and tip the syringe downwards. Pull plunger every 10 seconds and turn syringe back up. Repeat this step until all of the disks sink.
Pour the disks and solution into a plastic cup. Add 3oz of more solution
Place under the light source and begin timer. Record the number of floating disks at each minute. Repeat until all disks are floating.
Results
A measure of Photosynthetic Rate in Leaf disks
Time
(min)
Trial 1 # of floating disks
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
1
0