Photosynthesis Lab Report

Life on earth is powered by solar energy (light energy from the sun). By a chemical reaction process called photosynthesis, plants use solar energy to convert H20 (water) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) to sugars and other organic molecules, thereby releasing oxygen in the process. The equation for photosynthesis is 6H20+ 6CO2+ light C6H12O6+ 6O2. This process is important because it creates glucose and oxygen for all living things. Photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplast of a plant cell. Photosynthesis has two stages that both occur at different sites in the chloroplast. The first stage is known as the light reaction; it takes place in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplast. Sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide are inputted resulting in oxygen, ATP, and NADPH. The second stage is called light-dependent or dark reaction, which takes place in the stroma. NADPH and ATP from the light reaction along with carbon dioxide are inputted. The products of this reaction are ADP, NADP+, and inorganic phosphate (Pi). Scientist Robert Hill discoveries has helped scientist better understand photosynthesis. He demonstrated that chloroplasts in water where able to perform photosynthesis when light and an electron acceptor where present to release oxygen. His findings

Each student prepared a different test tubes so that all test tubes could be made and measured at the same time. One student prepared the calibration tubes. It contained 1mL buffer, 4 mL water, and 3 drops of chloroplast. The calibration tube gives a baseline reading before each measurement. The other five students prepared each prepared a tube containing 1 mL of buffer, 3 mL of water, 1mL chloroplast, and 3 drops of chloroplast. One of the five tubes in the experiment was used as a control. Four student were assigned a water bath to their tube. The student with the tube used a control was not assigned an ice bath. It would be placed in a test tube rack after each