Tabitha Darrell Form 5C

Date: 20/11/2020

Lab# 4

Title: Testing a leaf for starch

Aim: To investigate a variegated leaf for Starch.

Apparatus:

Boiling tube

Tripod

Petri-dish

Bunsen burner

Test tube rack

Forceps

Test tube holder

Dropper

Beaker

Materials:

Bougainvillea leaf

Matches

Water

Iodine

Cold water

Ethanol

Gauze
Diagram:

Procedure:

1. A variegated leaf was picked and boiled for 2-3 minutes after noting its texture.
2. The leaf was then placed in a boiling tube containing ethanol and then placed into a bath
for 5 minutes.
3. The leaf was removed from the ethanol and watered with tap water.
4. The leaf was placed in a petri dish and few drops of iodine were added to cover the leaf.
5. All observations were recorded.

Observations

The leaf’s texture before it was boiled was firm and rigid. However, when it was removed, it was
soft and flaccid.

When the leaf was placed back in the water bath to boil with the ethanol, the ethanol turned from
colourless to a green colour and the leaf turned white. When iodine was dropped onto the leaf,
the edges became a blue-black colour.
Discussion

When starch comes in contact with iodine, a noticeable colour change is recorded and it turns a
blue-black colour. Leaves contain a green pigment known as chlorophyll. When it was boiled,
some of the chlorophyll was dissolved into the ethanol and the waxy cuticle was removed to
allow entry for the iodine it also ruptures the cell membrane hence allowing access of the iodine
to the cytoplasm and chloroplasts where the chlorophyll is stored to carry out photosynthesis.
This was done to properly observe the colour change to accurately conclude if a leaf has starch
presence or not. The leaf was boiled in ethanol in attempts to dissolve the green pigment
chlorophyll, as this can make the colour change difficult to observe. Since ethanol is an organic
solvent, it extracts the chlorophyll from the leaf easily. After this boiling process came to an end,
it was washed with cold water to cool the leaf and to rid it of any ethanol/chlorophyll. Then it
was placed into a petri dish and the iodine was added. The edges of the leave immediately turned
a blue-black shade hence indicating that starch is indeed present in the variegated leaf.

Sources of Error

1. Entire leaf wasn’t submerged in ethanol.

2. More than 25 cm3 of ethanol was added.

Limitations

1. Ethanol is flammable
2. The temperature of the hot bath is too high.

Precautions

1. Handle the leaf in a careful manner after the boiling process has been completed in order
to prevent tearing.
2. Ensure the leaf is properly washed and cooled before the iodine is added.
3. If used under heater (Bunsen burner) instead of hot bath ethanol will evaporate.

Reflection

During photosynthesis a plant absorbs light energy using the pigment chlorophyll. This allows it
to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. This is then used to help the plant and provide
nutrients and serve as storage without it plants would not be able to photosynthesize effectively.
Conclusion

After conducting the test and observation it was concluded that starch is present in a variegated
leaf.
References

Atwaroo-Ali, L 2014, Biology for CSEC Examinations, 3rd edition, Macmillan Education,
London

Photosynthesis. (2001, November 2). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 25,

2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis

Testing a leaf for starch - Photosynthesis – WJEC - GCSE biology (Single science) revision -
WJEC - BBC bitesize. (n.d.). BBC
Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpcvbk7/revision/3