ACTIVITY: 2015B
CONCEPTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS:
•
Take a green plant and place a 1 x 1 inch of black construction paper or tin foil on
both sides of a leaf attached by a paper clip. Place plant in sunlight or under grow
light for 3 days.
2. Demonstration: Place the plant with the spot covered in the bright light for 2-3 hours.
Then remove the black construction paper or tin foil from the leaf. Observe the
differences in colors of the leaf where the construction paper was versus where it was not.
Cut the leaf from the plant and boil in alcohol until chlorophyll or green color disappears
from tissue (alcohol should be in a beaker or glass jar that is placed in a 90-95 C water
bath, not an open flame or hot plate). Then dip the leaf tissue in iodine. It is best to place
the leaf into a flat dish (e.g. petri dish/ with iodine solution).
Observation: Where the green was on the leaf will be blue-black color showing starch
(storage for and end product of photosynthesis). Suggestion: May use a variegated plant
leaf to show similar results. Have students write up lab report on the process.
Name:_________________
Date:__________________
Hour:__________________
Daily Observation Log
Topic 2015
Day
Plant in Light
Plant in Dark
Photosynthesis Reading Assignment
Topic #2015
1. Photosynthesis is the process that provides energy for almost all Life.
2. During Photosynthesis, Autotrophs use the Sun's Energy to make Carbohydrate
Molecules from Water and Carbon Dioxide, Releasing Oxygen as a Byproduct.
3. The Process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS CAN BE SUMMARIZED BY THE
FOLLOWING EQUATION:
Green Plant
6CO2 + 12H2O ----------------> C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2
Light Energy
In English, this would be read as follows:
"Six molecules of carbon dioxide plus twelve molecules of water combine, in the
presence of a green plant and light energy, to form one molecule of sugar plus six
molecules of water and six molecules of oxygen."
4. In this equation the Six-Carbon Sugar GLUCOSE is a Product.
5. The Energy Stored in Glucose and other Carbohydrates can be used later to produce
ATP during Cellular Respiration.
6. There are two parts to the photosynthesis process.
Part 1 - CALLED THE LIGHT-DEPENDENT REACTIONS. Energy is Capture
from Sunlight. Water is Split into Hydrogen Ions, Electrons, and Oxygen (O2). The O2
Diffuses out of the Chloroplast (Byproduct) and the Light Energy is Converted to
Chemical Energy, which is Temporarily Stored in ATP and NADPH.
Part 2 - The DARK REACTION takes place at any time (it is not directly dependent
on light for energy) but quickly stops after the plant is placed in the dark.in the dark
reaction, the energy-holding chemicals created in the light reaction are used to change
carbon dioxide to carbohydrates (sugar) and water. This dark reaction takes place in
many different steps.
7. Photosynthesis occurs in the Chloroplast of Plant Cells and Algae and in the Cell
Membranes of certain Bacteria
Name___________________
Date__________Hour______
Photosynthesis Reading assignment Guide and Activities
Topic # 2015
Instructions:
Use the web sites listed below and the attached reading material related to photosynthesis
and complete the following activities.
1. Click on this site: http://www.ifmt.nf.ca/mi-net/enviro/photo1.htm or use the handout
provided.
What is the overall formula for photosynthesis - Express your answer with the entire
name of each substance
2. Go to : http://buglady.clc.uc.edu/biology/bio104/photosyn.htm You can click on any
"green" word to get more information
What are the two parts to photosynthesis?
3. Go to http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/Plants_Human/leaves.html
Using the picture of the leaf cross-section, label the diagram provided in this packet and
define or give the function of the terms you use.
4. Define Photosynthesis.
5. List the requirements for photosynthesis.
6. List the products of photosynthesis.
7. In your own words, briefly describe the process of photosynthesis and why it is
important. Remember to use your handouts, the web sites as well as your class notes!