Biology Advanced
Mendel and Genetics Advanced Learning
Mendel and Genetics Post Assessment
Photosynthesis - Concepts 1-7 Light and Leaves
Although all plants are green in color due to chlorophyll, many other pigments exist in plants as well. This is always visible in the fall of the year as the chlorophyll in deciduous trees and shrubs begins to break down revealing the presence of other pigments a plant contains. See image below. All photosynthetic organisms contain pigments.
Read about pigment found in Photosynthetic Organisms at the following site.: Photosynthetic Pigment Introduction
What differences might exist in the types of pigments found in various plants? For example, a spinach leaf has 5 different pigments including two types of chlorophyll, anthocyanin, carotene and xanthophyll; however a lettuce leaf only has two types of chlorophyll. What reasons might exist for this difference. Do you think an geranium grown indoors will have the same pigments as a geranium grown outdoors? Do you think a Maple Tree possesses the same types of pigments as a Pine Tree?
Choose two variables in plants and decide how the pigments might be different in these two variations?
Photosynthesis Pigment Lab Protocol
Biological Processes like Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration are measurable by...
amount of substance produced
amount of substance (reactant) used
Photosynthesis - Concept 8 Rate of Reaction
Photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide + water ----> Organic molecule (Sugar) + Oxygen
So we can measure the rate of photosynthesis by
the amount of Carbon dioxide used or the amount of water used
the amount of Sugar produced or the amount of Oxygen produced.
In a very simple design....
the number of oxygen bubbles can be counted over a period of time to determine the rate of photosynthesis
If this experimental set up does not make sense, observe the following video.
Many variables can affect a reaction....
What variables in your recent studies might affect the rate of photosynthesis?
Write a question which tests one variable on the rate of photosynthesis.
Write an appropriate hypothesis your dependent and independent variables.
Write an appropriate lab method for the variables you chose.
Design a table to collect your data.
Get approval from Mrs. Stanley before moving forward.
Further Consideration: Harnessing the Energy of Plants
Watch the following video regarding the harnessing of energy from plants.
Why do you think Spinach is used in this process?
What other plants could be used to convert the energy stored in plants into electrical power?
Research this concept, design an experiment in which you attempt to convert the power stored in plants into energy that could be usable for mankind.