Photosynthesis Pre Lab Flashcards
What is this energy used for?
To produce ATP, to reduce NADP to NADPH, carbon fixation
What happens when leaf pigments absorb light?
Electrons within each photosystem are boosted to a higher energy level
What is carbon fixation?
When carbon dioxide is incorporated into organic molecules
Why do leaf disks float?
Because the spaces of the spongy mesophyll are filled with air
What happens if the air in the spongy mesophyll are filled with a solution?
The overall density of the leaf increases and the disk sinks
Why does the infiltration solution include a small bit of sodium bicarbonate?
It enables the bicarbonate ion to serve as The carbon source for the photosynthesis
What happens as photosynthesis occurs?
Oxygen is released into the interior of the leaf, changing the buoyancy, causing the disks to rise
Why is the rate the disk rises an indirect measurement of the rate of photosynthesis?
Since cellular respiration is taking place at the same time within the lead, consuming oxygen produced
What are we doing in this lab?
Measuring the net rate of photosynthesis for several plants under different light conditions
