Group photosynthesis experiment

5/5/14
Question: What will be the Co2, and O2 readings between the common maple leaf, and the
Clendoendron Trichatomus leaves In natural light as well as in red light environments.
Hypothesis: the Clendoendron Trichatomus leaves will produce higher Co2 levels due to the
chemical reaction in the leaf in red light than natural light. And that the maple leaves will have a
steady drop in O2 that will remain even with the rise in Co2.
Lab design: a clear container that is fitted with Co2 and O2 sensors will be wrapped in a red film
that will be able to allow light into the chamber, 2 of 4 tests will be conducted with 3 leaves in
this environment for both species. One leaf involved is an angiosperm that develops a flower to
allow pollination and the leaves are adorned with a crystal like substance that when rubbed
together between fingers produces a scent similar to peanut butter. The second set of 3 leaves are
a common maple tree, it is a non-flowering tree, a gameasperm. Then 3 of the mentioned leaves
will be placed in a clear sealed container and the process will be repeated. The duration of these
tests will be a total of 20 minutes or 1200 seconds per test reading and the starting and ending
reading will be calculated and recorded on a spreadsheet, along with a graph or slope diagram
indicating the degree of Co2 consumption and O2 output.
Test 1: Red film covered container. 3 Clendoendron Trichatomus leaves spread evenly in a
single layer on bottom of container. Red film covered lid attached to top and sealed with Co2
sensor, and O2 sensor in place and sealed so no natural light gets into controlled environment.
Test started. At 144 seconds in the Co2 level dropped dramatically engaging photosynthesis.
Leaves veins are turning white and dilating, as well as the edges of the leaves are beginning to
curl. At 10 min into test full curl has developed on one of the leaves and the crystals have
become more apparent.
O2 reading: start 21.70, end 20.90, difference of -.75
Co2 reading: start .85, end .65, difference of -.2

Test 2: Reed film covered container. 3 maple leaves are placed in the bottom in an even layer
and container sealed with sensors attached. At 3 minutes into test Co2 levels spike and remain
high through the duration of the test Signifying, Cellular respiration

Test 3: natural light 3 Clendoendron Trichatomus leaves were kept in a moistened towel were
placed into an un-wrapped container allowing all light to penetrate the leaves. There was not
much change in the physical shape of the leaves during this test indicating that the red film might
have increased the temperature in the chamber dehydrating the leaves causing the curling. But
the crystals had the same reaction and became more apparent.
O2 reading; start 21.01, end 20.91, difference of -.01
Co2 reading: start0.877, end 0.731 difference of 1.46

Test 4: natural light 3 maple leaves were kept in a moistened towel and were placed into the un-
wrapped container. Sensors in place and time started. At 386 seconds into reading both O2 and
Co2 dropped and Co2 remained dropping. O2 level stabilized and then began to gently climb
both photosynthesis and cellular respiration occurred in this reading with photosynthesis being
only apparent for a few seconds.
O2 reading: start 21.06, end 20.73, difference of -.33
Co2 reading: start .787, end .55, difference of -.237