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WHAT IS PHOTOSYNTHESIS?
It is the biological process that includes the
capture of light energy and its transformation
into chemical energy of organic molecules,
which are manufactured from carbon dioxide
and water. (Berg, 2012)

Fig. 1.1 Photosynthesis Equation

In photosynthesis, plants convert light energy to chemical
energy stored in carbohydrate molecules.

TWO STAGES OF
PHOTOSYNTHESIS REACTIONS
Light-dependent reactions
Carbon fixation reactions / Calvin Cycle

LIGHT-DEPENDENT
REACTIONS
PHOTOSYSTEM
S
I and II

PS1: P700
PS2: P680

Fig. 1.2 Photosystems

TWO TYPES OF
ELECTRON TRANSPORT
Noncyclic Electron Transport
H2O PSII PSI NADP+
Cyclic Electron Transport

CALVIN CYCLE
Three Stages/ Steps
1. CO2 uptake
2. Carbon Reduction
3. RuBP Regeneration

Fig. 1.3 Calvin Cycle

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the role of chlorophyll in
photosynthesis.
2. To determine the role of light in
photosynthesis.
3. To determine the role of carbon dioxide in
photosynthesis.

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Materials
A. The Role of Chlorophyll in Photosynthesis
1. Variegated leaf
2. 95% ethyl alcohol
3. Tap water or distilled water
4. Test tube
5. IKI solution
6. Beaker (1000 ml)

Method / Procedure
Sketching
Sketching of
of Variegated
Variegated Leaf
Leaf
Boiling
Boiling of
of Leaf
Leaf in
in Water
Water
Immersion
Immersion of
of Boiled
Boiled Water
Water Leaf
Leaf in
in Test
Test Tube
Tube
Extraction
Extraction of
of Pigments
Pigments
Dropping
Dropping of
of IKI
IKI solution
solution on
on the
the Leaf
Leaf

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.1 Mayana leaf

Fig. 2.2 Boiling of Mayana leaf

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.3 Extraction of pigments

Fig. 2.4 Bleached leaf with IKI

Results & Discussions

GROUP NAME

RESULT

Glasses Group

Presence of Starch

Group 1

Presence of Starch

Nameless Group

Presence of Starch

Faura Group

Presence of Starch

Chlorophyll Group

Presence of Starch

Table 3.1 Role of Chlorophyll Experiment Results

Conclusion
The essential elements of photosynthesis are
CO2 from the atmosphere, H2O from the soil
and light energy. With these primary
elements, the plant is capable of producing its
own food along with the by-product of oxygen
which is beneficial to man.

Conclusion
In the leaf, excess glucose is rapidly converted to
starch, so we test leaves for starch to show that
photosynthesis has happened.
Putting a drop of IKI solution is a way to determine
the presence of starch in leaf. Dark blue is the
positive color reaction for the presence of starch. The
variegated leaf exhibited positive color reaction for
the presence of starch in the green part of the leaf.

Conclusion
The starch grains were located at the green
parts of the leaf where chloroplasts are
present.
There were little to none starch grains on the
white parts of the leaf. In order for the leaf to
undergo photosynthesis and produce food in
the form of starch, chlorophyll is needed.

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Materials
B. The Role of Light in Photosynthesis
1. Potted plant
2. Carbon or black paper
3. Paper clip
4. IKI solution
5. 95% ethyl alcohol
6. Tap water or distilled water

Method / Procedure
Positioning
Positioning of
of Plant
Plant in
in the
the Dark
Dark for
for 48
48 hours
hours
Covering
Covering of
of Leaves
Leaves with
with Carbon
Carbon Paper
Paper
Exposure
Exposure of
of Plant
Plant to
to Light
Light for
for 55 hours
hours
Repetition
Repetition of
of Steps
Steps in
in Section
Section A
A

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.5 Angels Breath leaf Fig. 2.6 Extraction of pigments

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.7 Leaf without IKI

Fig. 2.8 Bleached leaf with IKI

Results & Discussions

GROUP NAME

RESULT

Glasses Group

No Presence of Starch

Group 1

No Presence of Starch

Nameless Group

No Presence of Starch

Faura Group

No Presence of Starch

Chlorophyll Group

No Presence of Starch

Table 3.2 Role of Light Experiment Results

Conclusion
A leaf of the plant, placed in the dark for 2
days, when tested with IKI solution showed no
change in color which means that starch is not
present.
The purpose of putting the plant in the dark
for 48 hours is to eliminate light and consume
all products of photosynthesis before the
conduction of the experiments.

Conclusion
Therefore, sunlight is needed for
photosynthesis to occur. It gives the energy
for the mechanism to start.

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Materials
C. The Role of CO2 in Photosynthesis
1. 3 test tubes
2. Marker
3. Phenol red
4. Dropper
5. Hydrilla sprigs
6. NaHCO3

Method / Procedure
Preparation
Preparation of
of Test
Test Tubes
Tubes A,B
A,B &
&C
C
Placing
Placing of
of Hydrilla
Hydrilla in
in A
A and
and B
B
Addition
Addition of
of NaHCO
NaHCO33 in
in B
B and
and C
C
Exposure
Exposure of
of Test
Test Tubes
Tubes to
to Light
Light
Observation
Observation of
of Bubble
Bubble Formations
Formations

Method / Procedure
Removal
Removal of
of Hydrilla
Hydrilla Sprigs
Sprigs
Addition
Addition of
of Phenol
Phenol Red
Red
Comparison
Comparison and
and Recording
Recording of
of Color
Color
Changes
Changes per
per Test
Test Tube
Tube

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.9 Test Tube A

Fig. 2.10 Test Tube B

Method / Procedure

Fig. 2.11 Test Tube C

Fig. 2.12 A, B and C

Results & Discussions

GROUP NAME

Glasses Group

Red-Orange
No Bubbles

Dark Red
Bubbles

Orange
No Bubbles

Dark Red

Orange

Yellow-Orange
No bubbles

Dark Pink
Bubbles

Pink
No Bubbles

Faura Group

Chlorophyll
Group

Yellow
No Bubbles

Dark
Bubbles

Pink
No Bubbles

Group 1
Nameless
Group

Table 3.3 Role of CO2 Experiment Results

Conclusion
The distilled water should be boiled first to remove all
impurities / dissolved gases that contaminates the
water, reducing it to its purest form.
The Hydrilla was inverted because the gas produced
exits at its cut portion.
Tiny bubbles were formed in test tubes B and C due
to the reaction of NaHCO3 with water creating an
unstable acid that easily decomposes into H 2O is CO2.

Conclusion
Test tube A showed minimal or no bubble
formation at all since distilled water used was
boiled. The Hydrilla in B had a continuous
bubble formation emanating from the cut
portion of the plant.
CO2 bubbles get caught at the surface of the
plant.

Conclusion
PHENOL RED turns:
a) Yellow acidic; pH below 6.8
b) Orange neutral; pH 7
c) Pink basic; pH above 8.2

Conclusion
TEST TUBE A: When dropped with Phenol Red,
the solution resulted into an orange color,
indicating that there is no significant change
in pH of the set-up.
TEST TUBE B & C: When dropped with Phenol
Red solution resulted into a red color meaning
solutions in test tubes B & C becomes basic.

Conclusion
TEST TUBE B is more basic compared to C since the
Hydrilla absorbs some of the naturally escaping CO 2,
speeding up the reduction of CO2 in the test tube, leaving
more hydroxide ions.
TEST TUBE C is basic since most of the carbonic acid
already decomposed into H2O and CO2 and the molecules
of CO2 have already dispersed from the rest of the tube.
Plants absorb CO2 since it is needed for the production of
plants food.

Conclusion
SIR OBICOS CORRECTIONS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
NaHCO3 is used to introduce CO2 into the distilled water
which was previously to remove gases. It separates into
Hydroxide ions and CO2.
Test Tube C must turn Yellow since CO2 is present
because of the NaHCO3. The result obtained by the
groups (pink in color) must be because other gases /
impurities have entered the solution.

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PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Fig. 5.1 Photosynthesis Equation

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INTERNET SOURCES
http://www.elateafrica.org
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org

PREVIOUS REPORTS /
LECTURES
Hannas buddy 2nd Year BS Biology Carl
Salazar
Dr. Rosario Rubites Lectures on
Photosynthesis

BOOKS
Introduction to Plant Biology 4th Edition by
James Mauseth
Introduction to Botany by Linda R. Berg
Biology by Campbell
Plant Systematics by Michael G. Simpson