How Does Temperature Affect The Rate Of Photosynthesis
Investigation into the photosynthetic activity of isolated chloroplasts from spinach beet to various light conditions.
Introduction
Chlorophyll, an important pigment in chloroplasts, is an essential component in photosynthesis; converting electromagnetic radiation from the sun into potential chemical energy. Photons excite electrons in chlorophyll which move through the electron transport chain, resulting in energy being stored in the bonds of ATP and NADPH. The flow of electron through the electron transport chain can be measured using DCPIP, a blue chemical which turns colourless when reduced by electrons at the final step of the electron transport chain. The absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer at 605nm, and the rate of linear decrease in absorbance over time represents the number of electrons flowing through the electron transport chain reflecting the relative rate of photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts only absorb certain wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, the blue followed by the red are the two main wavelengths absorbed (Melis, et al., 1987). The experiment was designed to investigate which wavelengths would result in the highest rate of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a and b absorb mainly blue and red wavelengths within the visible light spectrum, …show more content…
3mL of DCPIP and 20µL of chloroplasts was pipetted into the cuvette, then immediately covered in parafilm gently shaken, and an absorbance reading measured in the spectrophotometer. The cuvette was then placed in a 125W unfiltered light condition, and absorbance readings taken every 2 minutes for 8 minutes. Results were recorded in a table. This procedure was repeated, however the cuvette was then placed in the ‘red’ light condition instead and absorbance readings taken every 2 minutes for 8 minutes. This was repeated three times for the following light conditions, blue, green, white and no light, all results were recorded in a
Introduction
Chlorophyll, an important pigment in chloroplasts, is an essential component in photosynthesis; converting electromagnetic radiation from the sun into potential chemical energy. Photons excite electrons in chlorophyll which move through the electron transport chain, resulting in energy being stored in the bonds of ATP and NADPH. The flow of electron through the electron transport chain can be measured using DCPIP, a blue chemical which turns colourless when reduced by electrons at the final step of the electron transport chain. The absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer at 605nm, and the rate of linear decrease in absorbance over time represents the number of electrons flowing through the electron transport chain reflecting the relative rate of photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts only absorb certain wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, the blue followed by the red are the two main wavelengths absorbed (Melis, et al., 1987). The experiment was designed to investigate which wavelengths would result in the highest rate of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a and b absorb mainly blue and red wavelengths within the visible light spectrum, …show more content…
3mL of DCPIP and 20µL of chloroplasts was pipetted into the cuvette, then immediately covered in parafilm gently shaken, and an absorbance reading measured in the spectrophotometer. The cuvette was then placed in a 125W unfiltered light condition, and absorbance readings taken every 2 minutes for 8 minutes. Results were recorded in a table. This procedure was repeated, however the cuvette was then placed in the ‘red’ light condition instead and absorbance readings taken every 2 minutes for 8 minutes. This was repeated three times for the following light conditions, blue, green, white and no light, all results were recorded in a