The light trial
.
Furthermore, did any leaf disks float in the dark treatment?
When you put floating leaf disks in the dark, they will eventually sink. Without light energy, no photosynthesis will occur, so no more O2 gas will be produced. However, respiration continues in the dark, so the disks will use the accumulated O2 gas.
Secondly, how will you know when photosynthesis is occurring in your leaf disks? As photosynthesis proceeds, oxygen accumulates in the air spaces of the spongy mesophyll. The leaf becomes buoyant and floats. While this is going on, the leaf is also carrying out cellular respiration. This respiration will consume the oxygen that has accumulated and possibly cause the plant disks to sink.
Furthermore, what could the rate of leaf disks sinking be correlated to?
When sodium bicarbonate is added to the water, the bicarbonate ion acts as a carbon source for photosynthesis causing the leaf disks to sink. As a result, the rate that the disks rise is indirectly proportional to the net rate of photosynthesis.
Why do leaf disks float when exposed to light?
When exposed to light, the disks use carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and glucose. Oxygen released from the leaves forms tiny bubbles that cause the leaves to float.
Related Question Answers
What was the role of the sodium bicarbonate in this experiment?
The function of the sodium bicarbonate in this experiment, was providing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis to occur. Light independent reactions take part in the stroma. The process that allowed the leaf punches to rise was photosynthesis.Does baking soda help plants grow?
Baking soda on plants causes no apparent harm and may help prevent the bloom of fungal spores in some cases. It is most effective on fruits and vegetables off the vine or stem, but regular applications during the spring can minimize diseases such as powdery mildew and other foliar diseases.What would happen if the leaf disks were boiled?
If we were to boil the leaf disks, what kind of results would you expect? Explain. All the leaf disks would sink because there would be no space for gases. The proteins would denature and not function properly, so photosynthesis would not be able to occur.How did the baking soda solution affect photosynthetic rates?
How did the baking soda solution affect photosynthetic rates? Baking soda will release carbon dioxide when dissolved in water. Carbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesis to occur; thus an increase in CO2 may increase the rate of photosynthesis.Does baking soda have carbon dioxide in it?
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate: each molecule of baking soda contains a sodium atom, a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a carbon dioxide molecule. Vinegar contains acetic acid, each molecule of which contains a hydrogen atom, and an acetate ion.How does the detergent help the leaf disks to sink?
The soap breaks down the molecules on the leaf's surface (because the leaf repels the solution) to allow the bicarbonate solution to penetrate the cells. That way, the leaf disk can absorb the solution.What causes the disks to float to the surface?
1. The oxygen produced in the reaction accumulates under the disk, causing the disks to float. The hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen gas, hence the bubbles in the liquid. 6.What would be the photosynthesis rate if you measured it at 0% illumination?
The rate of cellular respiration remains constant. However, the photosynthesis is purely a light-dependent process. Therefore, at 0% illumination, the photosynthesis rate would be zero. The values of the O2 (oxygen) rate and CO2 (carbon dioxide) rate are greater in procedure I.What is a leaf disk?
The biology behind the procedure: Leaf disks float, normally. When the air spaces are infiltrated with solution the overall density of the leaf disk increases and the disk sinks. As photosynthesis proceeds oxygen is released into the interior of the leaf, which changes the buoyancy--causing the disks to rise.Why did the leaves eventually become buoyant in the baking soda soap solution?
These leaf disks were placed in solution with sodium bicarbonate and were exposed to light. This triggered the photosynthesis reaction, which produced oxygen in the spongy mesophyll and caused the leaf to become buoyant and rise to the surface.How do different wavelengths affect photosynthesis?
Colors are simply different wavelengths of light that are reflected by objects back. The plant does not absorb the green light so does not use it to grow. Answer 2: The color or wavelength of light does affect photosynthesis, which is how plants can basically create their own food.What is carbon fixation in photosynthesis?
Carbon fixation or сarbon assimilation is the conversion process of inorganic carbon (carbon dioxide) to organic compounds by living organisms. The most prominent example is photosynthesis, although chemosynthesis is another form of carbon fixation that can take place in the absence of sunlight.What is a leaf Chad?
Leaf disks float, normally. When the air spaces are replaced with water the overall density of the leaf disk increases and the disk sinks. The saturating solution should include a small amount of Sodium bicarbonate. Bicarbonate ion serves as the carbon source for photosynthesis.What is the purpose of the baking soda solution?
A: Baking soda acts as a chemical leavener. It reacts with an acid to produce carbon dioxide — or loads of bubbles — a process that allows cakes, cookies, and other baked goods to rise.How does the suction help the leaf disks to sink?
When sodium bicarbonate is added to the water, the bicarbonate ion acts as a carbon source for photosynthesis causing the leaf disks to sink. As photosynthesis proceeds, oxygen is released into the interior of the leaf, which changes its buoyancy causing the disk to rise.How does dish soap affect photosynthesis?
The soap breaks down the molecules on the leaf's surface (because the leaf repels the solution) to allow the bicarbonate solution to penetrate the cells. That way, the leaf disk can absorb the solution.What is the source of carbon dioxide for the leaf disc?
The biology behind the procedure: Bicarbonate ion serves as the carbon source for photosynthesis. As photosynthesis proceeds oxygen is released into the interior of the leaf, which changes the buoyancy--causing the disks to rise.What will happen to the leaf disks if you remove the air from the spongy mesophyll?
If the gases can be removed from the spongy mesophyll and replaced with a solution, the leaf disks will sink because the overall density of the leaf disk increases. If the solution includes a source of carbon dioxide in the form of bicarbonate ion, the sunken leaf disks can carry out photosynthesis. 
