Photosynthesis Exploration: Understanding the Movement of Carbon

In this lab, you will conduct two brief experiments to understand the effect of light on the process of
photosynthesis in spinach leaves.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H2O)+ Energy (sunlight) => sugar (C6H12O6) + oxygen (O2)
The above equation describes the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis. Plants are autotrophs, meaning
they make their own food (glucose) through photosynthesis. But how does this relate to energy? By
monitoring the change in carbon dioxide concentration, you will make a claim about which cellular
processes are occurring, and how they relate to plant cells getting the energy needed to perform cellular
functions.
Lab Objectives:
1. To demonstrate the mechanisms of carbon transfer in a plant cell based on data.
2. To relate the movement of carbon within a system to the movement and uses of energy in the
system.
3. To understand the lab equipment uses and data collection protocols necessary for the larger
photosynthesis lab.
Materials:
Spinach Leaves Bottle

CO2 Gas Sensor Aluminum Foil

Floodlight

Pre Lab Questions:

Discuss these questions in your group before beginning the lab.
1. What cellular process that we have studied has CO2 as an input?]
2. What cellular process that we have studied has CO2 as an output?
3. Why is glucose an important molecule in both of these processes?
In this lab, you will conduct 2 experiments. In the first, you will measure the exchange of Carbon Dioxide
between the spinach leaves and the atmosphere within the bottle when all inputs for photosynthesis are
present. You should be able to use evidence to answer the question, “Where is Carbon moving? Why?”
Experimental Question: How does the presence of light affect the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed
by plant cells?
Hypothesis 1:
If the plant is exposed to light, then the amount of carbon in the bottle will [decrease ]
Draw a line on the graphs below that would demonstrate the data that supports your hypothesis (double
click the graph and use the drawing function to add your line).
Carbon in

Spinach
Amount
Amount

Carbon
Bottle

of

in
of

Time Hypothesis 2:
Time
If the plant is not exposed to light, then the amount of carbon in the bottle will [stay the same/ have no
change. ]
Draw a line on the graphs below that would demonstrate the data that supports your hypothesis.

Carbon in

of Carbon

Spinach
Amount

Amount
Bottle
of

in
Time Time Procedure:
1. Connect your CO2 sensor to
the SparkVue Software
2. Place 2-3 leaves of spinach in the bottle.
3. Place the light source so it is pointed towards the majority of the spinach leaves’ surface area.
4. Place CO2 sensor in the bottle.
5. Click start and record CO2 concentrations for a minimum of 5 minutes or until a consistent trend
is present.

6. Use the data tool to select the initial point and final point on the line and determine the data
points (see posted slide deck for instructions on this point).
7. Record the initial CO2 concentration in the bottle, the final CO2 concentration in the bottle, and the
elapsed time between them (in seconds).
8. Repeat steps 2-6, but this time wrap the bottle in aluminum foil so no light can enter. Wait several
minutes before running the experiment to allow equilibrium to occur in the bottle.
Data:
Experiment Initial CO2 Final CO2 Elapsed Time Rate of
Concentration Concentration (seconds) Photosynthesis
(ppm CO2/minute)

With Light 360 ppm 495 ppm 300 seconds -27 ppm CO2/min

Without Light 570 ppm 675 ppm 300 seconds -21 ppm CO2/min

** If we had more time in the first trial, we would have been able to see the trend where the amount of
carbon in the bottle decreases, but in our trial, we were only able to see it increase.***
Analysis:
Determine the rate of photosynthesis in each experiment using the equation below. Record your rates in
the table above.

Rate = Change in amount

Time

Rate of Photosynthesis= Change in CO2 Concentration (PPM)

Time
 Rate of photosynthesis= (Initial CO2 - Final CO2) x 60 Seconds
(Final time - Initial Time) 1 minute

Conclusion
1. In each experiment, describe the net change in carbon (where are Carbon molecules moving)
In the experiment with exposure to light, the carbon in the bottle starts to increase because of how the
spinach releases carbon with cellular respiration. But then the amount of carbon starts to very steadily
decrease, as the carbon in the bottle is being used in the spinach’s process of photosynthesis.
In the experiment without light, the carbon in the bottle increases, as more carbon is released from the
spinach in cellular respiration.

2. What would a positive photosynthesis rate mean? What would a negative photosynthesis rate
mean?
A positive photosynthesis rate would mean that photosynthesis is happening at a faster rate than
cellular respiration, and that the amount of carbon in the bottle would decrease. A negative
photosynthesis rate would mean that more cellular respiration than photosynthesis is happening, and
the amount of carbon in the bottle would increase.

3. Explain the reasoning for the difference in photosynthesis

rates. Think about which cellular processes were occurring in
each experiment. The model below may help you answer this
question.

There were great differences in

photosynthesis rates for each experiment
because in the experiment without light, the
spinach was not able to take any energy
from sunlight to complete the process of
photosynthesis. Therefore, cellular
respiration was happening faster than
photosynthesis.

4. Describe the transfers of energy that are occurring in the plants cells for each
experiment.
In the process of cellular respiration, the glucose and oxygen in the system is transferred to make ATP,
water, and carbon dioxide. When the plant uses the process of photosynthesis, it takes the carbon,
water, and sunlight and uses it to transfer that into glucose and oxygen.

5. Why might it be important to understand the rate of photosynthesis for a

plant?
It might be important to understand the rate of photosynthesis for a plant because it helps us
understand how much CO2 and water they take in from the atmosphere. Nowadays, we produce a lot
more Carbon with our latest technologies, and it is spreading faster than the plants can take. By
understanding the rate of photosynthesis, we can control the amount of carbon we put into the world,
and create a healthy environment, for both plants and animals.