AP05
AP05
EDVO-Kit: AP05
Photosynthesis
EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVE:
In this experiment, students will learn how to measure the rate
of photosynthesis indirectly by using the floating leaf disk
method. They will also investigate several factors that
might affect the photosynthesis process.
EVT AP04.130109
EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
Table of Contents
Page
Experiment Components 3
Experiment Requirements 3
Background Information 4
Experiment Procedures 6
Experiment Overview 6
Investigation I: Observation of environmental factors that affect
the rate of photosynthesis 7
Investigation II: Observation of plant respiration 10
Data Collection and Analysis 12
Study Questions 14
Instructor’s Guidelines
Notes to the Instructor 15
Pre-Lab Preparations 16
Experiment Results and Analysis 17
Study Questions and Answers 19
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board. These
laboratory materials have been prepared by EDVOTEK, Inc. which bears sole responsibility for their contents.
All components are intended for educational research only. They are not to be used for diagnostic or drug pur-
poses, nor administered to or consumed by humans or animals.
THIS EXPERIMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN HUMAN DNA. None of the experiment components are derived
from human sources.
EDVOTEK and The Biotechnology Education Company are registered trademarks of EDVOTEK, Inc.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Experiment Components
Store the entire
experiment at room
• Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) temperature.
• Liquid soap
• Plastic syringes This experiment is
• Transfer pipets designed for 10 lab
• Plastic cups groups.
Requirements
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
Background Information
Photosynthesis is the process by which plant cells use light energy for the biosynthesis of
cellular components. Photosynthetic organisms form the basis of the food chain. These
life forms include higher plants, algae, dinoflagellates, euglenoids, diatoms and certain
bacteria. Photosynthesis consists of two biochemical phases. The general equation for the
first phase is:
The first phase is light dependent. NADP+ and NADPH are oxidized and reduced forms,
respectively, of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. The reduced form is an
essential cofactor in the biosynthesis of many types of molecules such as carbohydrates.
Chemical energy of ATP is required for many biochemical reactions and for maintenance
of cellular integrity and function. ATP is generated from ADP and inorganic phosphate
(Pi). The reaction also generates protons (H+) and molecular oxygen from water. The sec-
ond phase of photosynthesis can be generally written as:
The second phase is not light dependent. The reaction fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide
into organic linkage (glucose). Each phase consists of many separate chemical steps. First
phase steps are called light reactions and second phase steps are called dark reactions.
The absorption spectrum of chlorophylls can be shifted depending on with which type
of protein they are associated. Other pigments found in chloroplasts include ß-carotene
and xanthophylls. These pigments have an accessory light harvesting function and absorb
at wavelengths in between the maxima of the chlorophylls. They all capture light energy
and transfer it to the chlorophyll a at the reaction center. All these pigments are sensi-
tive to light and oxygen in the purified state and eventually breakdown. Extremely pure
preparations required for chemical and biological studies are stored under vacuum, in the
dark, at -20° C.
Photosynthetic System
There are two photosynthetic systems in chloroplasts, termed Photosystem i and ii. These
physically distinct systems contain different proteins and ratios of chlorophylls and acces-
sory pigments. Photosystem i is not responsible for oxygen evolution and is activated by
longer wavelengths of light. Photosystem ii is activated by shorter wavelengths of light
and is required for oxygen and ATP production. Both systems contribute high energy
electrons for the reduction of NADP+. Both photosystems are required for maximal pho-
tosynthetic activity. When light is absorbed by the chlorophyll-protein complex of pho-
tosystem I, chlorophyll becomes excited and enters a higher energy state. During return
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Background Information
from high energy to ground state, an electron is boosted to a higher energy level and is
sequentially transferred, via several membrane associated protein transport molecules, to
the final electron acceptor NADP+. The NADP+ is reduced to NADPH through the action
of a reductase enzyme. Since this is not normally a spontaneous (energetically favorable)
reaction, input of light energy is required to convert NADP+ to NADPH.
Electron transport proteins containing iron and sulfur are called ferredoxins. Other trans-
porters are called cytochromes. A high energy electron generated by light absorption in
photosystem II is donated, via a specific sequence of transporters, to the electron defi-
cient photosystem I. Photosystem II then receives an electron through a series of transport
proteins from H20. Water is oxidized to molecular oxygen during this process. Water is the
electron donor in photosynthesis. Conversion of water, a very stable molecule, to oxy-
gen is energetically unfavorable and would not occur to any significant extent without
input of light energy at photosystem II. Production of ATP occurs along the sequence of
electron transfer steps. ATP is a high energy compound and requires energy for its syn-
thesis. This energy is siphoned from the high energy electrons through a complex series
of events involving membrane proteins and formation of pH gradients across chloroplast
membranes to drive ATP synthesis.
The dark reactions of photosynthesis occur simultaneously with the light reactions in
plant cells. The dark reactions are a set of seven enzyme catalyzed metabolic steps that
synthesize glucose. The key metabolic step in plant glucose synthesis is catalyzed by the
abundant enzyme ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. The majority of these reactions take
place outside the chloroplast in the cytoplasm. Most of the glucose is polymerized into
starch and cellulose. The reaction involves the fixation of carbon dioxide.
This experiment uses the floating disk leaf assay to explore the process of photosynthesis
in plants. Leaf disks generally float due to the many intercellular spaces used for ex-
change of gases. When the air spaces are infiltrated with solution, the overall density of
the leaf disk increases, causing the disks to sink. The infiltration solution includes a small
amount of Sodium bicarbonate. Bicarbonate ion serves as the carbon source for photo-
synthesis. By providing the components needed for photosynthesis (light, CO2, and H20),
oxygen will be produced in the leaf. As photosynthesis takes place, oxygen is released
into the interior of the leaf which changes the buoyancy and causes the disks to rise.
Since cellular respiration takes place and also consumes oxygen, the rate that the disks
rise is an indirect measurement of the net rate of photosynthesis.
Respiration, which uses the oxygen produced by photosynthesis, is also observed in the
leaf disk assay. Some of the oxygen will be used in the leaf’s respiration process. Leaf disks
float, because the net result is that more oxygen is produced by photosynthesis than is
used in respiration. In this investigation, the rate at which leaf “disks” rise will be used as
an indirect measure of the net production of oxygen produced by photosynthesis.
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVE:
In this experiment, students will learn how to measure the rate of photosynthesis indi-
rectly using the floating leaf disk method. They will also investigate several factors that
might affect the photosynthesis process.
4. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after working in the laboratory.
LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS:
Scientists document everything that happens during an experiment, including experi-
mental conditions, thoughts and observations while conducting the experiment, and, of
course, any data collected. Today, you’ll be documenting your experiment in a laboratory
notebook or on a separate worksheet.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Investigation I: Observation of Cellular Photosynthesis
Notes:
• For Module I, you will receive 2 plastic cups – (1) cup containing water / liquid
soap solution, and (1) cup containing the bicarbonate / liquid soap solution.
• Throughout this module, you will be preparing material for the “Light -
Control soln” and “15 cm Light - CO2 soln” simultaneously. Follow the steps
below for preparation of materials.
Procedure
1. Label the plastic cup containing water / liquid soap solution provided by your
Experiment Procedure
lab instructor as “Light - Control soln.” This is your control cup.
Fig. 1 - Making leaf disks.
2. Label the plastic cup containing the bicarbonate / liquid soap solution pro-
vided by your lab instructor as “15 cm Light - CO2 soln.” This is your experi-
mental cup.
3. Prepare 10 uniform leaf disks for each trial using the hole punch. Try not to
include the major veins in the leaf disks (Fig. 1).
4. Remove the plunger of the syringe and carefully transfer leaf disks in the
barrel. Shake or tap the barrel on the lab bench to collect the disks to the
bottom (near the opening) of the barrel.
5. Replace the plunger back into the barrel. Push the plunger until only a small
volume of air and leaf disks remain in the barrel (Fig. 2). Be careful not to
damage the leaf disks.
6. Using the transfer pipet provided, put a small volume of sodium bicarbonate
solution (4-5 cc) into the syringe. Gently shake or tap the syringe to suspend
the leaf disks in the solution.
Fig. 2 - Placing leaf disks into
7. While placing a finger over the syringe opening tightly, draw back slowly on the syringe.
the plunger to create a vacuum and hold it for 10 seconds (Fig. 3).
8. While holding the vacuum, swirl the leaf disks to suspend them in solution.
Turn the syringe upright and slowly let the plunger spring back to release the
vacuum.
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
10. Once all the disks have sunk, remove plunger from the barrel. Swirl and
quickly pour the disks and the solution into the cup labeled “15 cm Light -
CO2 soln“ (Fig. 5).
If the disks stick to the side of the syringe, add a small amount of Sodium
Bicarbonate Solution into the syringe. Slowly swirl the syringe to dislodge
the disks and pour it into the plastic cup (or beaker).
11. Repeat steps 3 – 9 for the cup labeled “Light – Control soln.” Remember
to replace the bicarbonate solution with the diluted soap solution in the
Fig. 5 - Sinking leaf disks
plunger.
in bicarbonate solution.
Experiment Procedure
12. Place both cups under light located about 15 cm away and begin timing
(Fig. 6).
13. Use Table 1 to record the number of disks that are floating in the “Light –
Control soln” cup at the end of each minute (Fig. 7).
14. Use Table 2 to record the number of disks that are floating in the “15 cm
Light - CO2 soln“ at the end of each minute.
15. Continue to record the number of floating disks at the end of each minute
until all of the disks are floating or you have reached 30 minutes.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Investigation I: Observation of Cellular Photosynthesis, continued
Table 1: Table 2: 15 cm
Light – Control Solution Light – Co2 Solution
1 1
2 2
3 3
Experiment Procedure
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12
13 13
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17
18 18
19 19
20 20
21 21
22 22
23 23
24 24
25 25
26 26
27 27
28 28
29 29
30 30
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
Notes:
Question:
What happens if • For Investigation II, you will receive 1 plastic cup containing the bicarbonate / liquid
photosynthesis is soap solution
not occurring, but
cellular respiration Procedure
continues?
1. Label the plastic cup containing bicarbonate / liquid soap solution provided by your
lab instructor as “30 cm Light - CO2 soln.”
2. Prepare 10 uniform leaf disks using the hole punch. Remember to avoid the major
Experiment Procedure
3. Remove the plunger of the syringe and carefully transfer your leaf disks in the barrel.
Shake or tap the barrel on the lab bench to collect the disks to the bottom (near the
opening) of the barrel.
4. Replace the plunger back into the barrel. Push the plunger until only a small volume
of air and leaf disk remains in the barrel. Be careful not to damage the leaf disks.
5. Using the transfer pipet provided, put a small volume of sodium bicarbonate solution
(4-5 cc) into the syringe. Gently shake or tap the syringe to suspend the leaf disks in
the solution.
6. While placing a finger over the syringe opening tightly, draw back slowly on the
plunger to create a vacuum and hold it for 10 seconds.
7. While holding the vacuum, swirl the leaf disks to suspend them in solution. Turn the
syringe upright and slowly let the plunger spring back to release the vacuum.
8. If the disks don’t sink, repeat steps 7-8. You may have to repeat this procedure two to
three times in order to get all the disks to sink to the bottom.
9. Once all the disks have sunk, remove plunger from the barrel. Swirl and quickly pour
the disks and the solution into the cup containing bicarbonate / liquid soap solution.
If the disks stick to the side of the syringe, add a small amount of Sodium Bicarbonate
Solution into the syringe. Slowly swirl the syringe to dislodge the disks and pour it
into the plastic cup (or beaker).
10. Place the cup under light located about 30 cm away and begin timing (Fig. 6).
11. Use Table 3 to record the number of disks that are floating at the end of each minute
until all of the disks are floating or you have reached 30 minutes.
12. Once all the leaf disks have floated, remove the cup from the light source and place
it in the dark. Suggestions include covering the beaker with an empty box or a piece
of aluminum foil. Use Table 4 to record how many disks are still floating at the end
of each minute over the next 15 minutes.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Investigation II - Observation of Plant Respiration
Table 3: 30 cm Table 4:
Light – Co2 Solution Dark – Co2 Solution
1 1
2 2
3 3
Experiment Procedure
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12
13 13
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17
18 18
19 19
20 20
21 21
22 22
23 23
24 24
25 25
26 26
27 27
28 28
29 29
30 30
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
Graph your results for each of the trials on the graph paper provided. Graph the results
from your class average.
(ETps) is the sum of the rate in the light plus the respiration rate.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Data Collection and Analysis
Experiment Procedure
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 Photosynthesis
Study Questions
4. What is the purpose of using water/soap solution for one of the trials?
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Instructor’s
Guide
Notes to the Instructor & Pre-Lab Preparations
Overview of Laboratory Investigations
email: [email protected]
m guidelines can be adapted to fit your specific set
Mo 6p
n - Fri 9 am - of circumstances.
Please have the following
information ready: If you do not find the answers to your questions
• Experiment number and title in this section, a variety of re- sources are con-
• Kit lot number on box or tube tinuously being added to the EDVOTEK web site.
• Literature version number www.edvotek.com
(in lower right corner)
• Approximate purchase date In addition, Technical Service is available from
9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Eastern time zone. Call for
help from our knowledgeable technical staff at
1-800-EDVOTEK (1-800-338- 6835).
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 In s truct or ’s
Photosynthesis
Guide
Pre-Lab Preparations
2. Dispense 140 ml of the diluted liquid soap solution into 10 plastic cups.
3. Label these cups “Control soln.” Distribute one cup per group.
2. Add 500 ml of diluted liquid soap solution (prepared above). Mix well.
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E XP E RIME N T
Photosynthesis
AP05
Inst r uct or ’s
G uide
Graph 1 Result - In this graph, the cup with its floating disks (spinach) was placed under
the light source 15 cm away. The number of floating disks was recorded at the end of
each minute until all of the disks were floating.
20
Number of leaf disks
15
Instructor’s Guide
Number of
floating disks
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time in minutes
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EX PERIMENT
AP05 In s truct or ’s
Photosynthesis
Guide
Graph 2 Result - In this graph, the light was turned off after all the leaf disks have floated for 30 min-
utes. The cup with its floating disks was placed in the dark. Every minute, remove the dark cover and
count the number of leaf disks that were still floating in the next 15 minutes.
Graph 2 - Number of Leaf Disks
25
20
Number of leaf disks
15
Instructor’s Guide
10 Number of
floating disks
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time in minutes
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Please refer to the kit
insert for the Answers to
Study Questions
EX PERIMENT
Material Safety Data Sheets
AP05 Full-size (8.5 x 11”) pdf copy of MSDS is available at www.edvotek.com or by request.
EDVOTEK ®
Standard. 29 CFR 1910.1200. Standard must be consulted for
specific requirements.
IDENTITY (As Used on Label and List) Note: Blank spaces are not permitted. If any item is not
applicable, or no information is available, the space must
Sodium bicarbonate be marked to indicate that.
Section I
Manufacturer's Name EDVOTEK Emergency Telephone Number
202-370-1500
Address (Number, Street, City, State, and ZIP Code) Telephone Number for information
202-370-1500
Extinguishing Media
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures
Wear SCBA and protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes
20