Name:________________

Biology 20
Biosphere Activity 4
Solar Energy Storage in Plants
Purpose:
To calculate and analyze data that indicates the storage of solar energy in plants.
Background Information:
Seeds contain stored energy, therefore when they germinate this stored energy is
used to produce the seedlings. In turn, young seedlings will survive by
photosynthesizing which converts solar energy into stored chemical energy.
Problem:
What is the effect of light on the mass of seedlings?
Prediction:
I predict that________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
Procedure:
1. Complete Table 1. (Hint: Look for patterns in numbers)
2. Graph the data given in Table 1, including calculated values. Graph the
bean seedlings and pea seedlings on separate graphs, using a legend for each
for dark and light conditions.
3. Answer analysis questions.
Evidence:
Table 1: Solar Energy Storage in Plants
Bean Seedlings
Total Mass (g)

Pea Seedlings
Total Mass (g)

Day

Light

Dark

Light

Dark

3.1

2.2

2.1

3.9

3.5

2.4

3.8

3.9

2.6

3
4
5

Analysis:
1. The students who designed this experiment used 25 seedlings of each type
(pea and bean). Explain why they would choose to use so many seedlings of
each.

2. What is the effect of light on stored energy?

3. How do the seeds in the dark continue to live, that is, what process do they
use to survive?

4. If the seedlings growing in the dark cannot photosynthesize, why did their
mass increase slightly over the 5 days?

5. Predict the effect of placing the seedlings growing in light into an ice water
bath.

6. What happens to energy storage in plants during the ice and snow conditions
of the Crowsnest Pass in the winter months?