Lab 6

Photosynthesis: a series of chemical reactions that converts radiant energy

in the form of light to chemical energy in the form of organic molecules such as Carbohydrates.

In other words, its Cellular respiration backwards.

Carbon dioxide + water go in --> glucose, oxygen, and water come out

6CO₂+ 12H₂0 → (light chlorophyll) → C₆H₁₂O₆+ 6O₂+ 6H₂O

Note: The water going in & out is different -- from the Calvin Cycle.

Autotrophic: able to synthesize its own food (through photosynthesis).

Heterotrophic: can't produce their own food - must rely on plants (or plant consumers) to proved food energy.

Pigments: molecules that absorb light.

Energy from the glucose can be used immeadiately, or be stored as starch

Today we look at wavelengths of pigments in photosynthesis

watch carbon dioxide intake,

and storage in plants.

Primary Pigment in photosynthesis:

• Chlorophyll A

Secondary (accessory) Pigments:

• Chlorophyll B
• Xanthophylls (yellow!)

• Carotenes (probably Orange)

   

paper chromatography - a process that separates the individual pigments from each other.

• solvent is non-polar
• chromatography paper is polar.

Use Phenol red to detect the uptake of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Find out where leaves store starch by torturing them

Look at spectroscope readings of a plant solution