Photosynthesis: The Lab
Dr. Ippolito
Brief Tangent
• In Microsoft programs, alt-clicking on a
word does quick research for you!
Materials
• Part 1:
– 2 test tubes, water, phenol red, a straw, a 2” piece of Elodea
• Part 2:
– test tube+cork; mortar and pestle; leaf; acetone; spot plate;
filter paper; organic solvent
• Part 3:
– A variegated leaf; Hot water bath; hot alcohol; petri dish;
iodine;
• Part 4:
– 4 test tubes (A-D); P04 buffer pH 6.5; chloroplasts; DCPIP
(strong redox potential!); aluminum foil; light source
• Part 5
– Microscope; prepared slides ONE, TWO, THREE
Overview: What we’re doing
• Part 1: Watch photosynthesis happen in a
closed system.
• Part 2: Separate the color molecules in a
leaf.
• Part 3: Show how only the green parts of a
plant make sugar.
• Part 4: Show how the ETC in the light
reactions of chloroplasts has NOTHING to do
with carbon fixation of the Calvin Cycle
• Part 5: look at the structural differences
between C3 plants and C4 plants.
Setup
• Groups of 2-3.
• Try to work together on one part at a
time.
• Be careful with some of the reagents.
They are slightly dangerous. Wear
protective gloves and googles when
dealing with organic setups.
Expectations
•
Group Lab Report, due The first Class After Thanksgiving Break
(November 27)
•
Typed, 10 point Arial font, double-spaced, standard margins.
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Divided into 4 parts
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Introduction: 3 paragraphs maximum
Methods & Materials: 2 double-spaced pages, maximum
Results: 3 paragraphs per experiment maximum
Discussion: 1-2 pages maximum.
Total Length: 10 pages MAXIMUM.
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Part
Part
Part
Part
I: Introduction
II: Methods & Materials
III: Results (you will have 5 sections, because you did 5 things)
IV: Discussion