Class Copy. Please DO NOT write on this handout.

(Digital copy is available on class website)

Determining Primary Productivity Using Elodea

Objective:
Today you will be determining the primary productivity of an aquatic plant known as Elodea. At the end of this lab, you
should understand the concept of primary productivity and understand how net primary productivity, gross primary
productivity and respiration are related to one another.

Background
During the growing seasons, tropical and temperate regions receive approximately 8,000 to 10,000 kcal/m2 of sunlight
energy each day. Of this energy, only a small amount (about 1-3 percent in the most productive zones) will be captured by
green plants, converted to glucose through the process of photosynthesis.
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy  C6H12O6 + 6O2 (photosynthesis)
Photosynthesis results in the production of glucose which can later be converted into other products in the plant and
provide for the growth of the plant. This results in an increase in biomass. The rate at which the biomass of these
producers increases due to photosynthesis is primary productivity, or more accurately, gross primary productivity (GPP).
GPP is the total amount of biomass produced by photosynthesis per unit area (or volume) over a specific time period.

However, gross primary productivity can only be determined indirectly due to the metabolic needs of the producer
organisms themselves. As the producer is producing glucose through photosynthesis, some percentage of this glucose is
also being used to meet the plant’s own energy needs through the process of cellular respiration.

C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP (cellular respiration)

As shown in the equation above for cellular respiration, the sugar that was made by photosynthesis is now broken down
into CO2 and H2O during cellular respiration. CO2 and H2O are then released from the plant, thereby decreasing the plants
biomass. Therefore any change in producer biomass is the Net Primary Productivity (NPP), the amount of produced
biomass remaining in the producers tissues after cellular respiration has used up some of the biomass in order to fuel its
own metabolic needs. The net primary productivity of the ecosystem will be less than the gross primary productivity by
an amount equal to the respiration rate of the producers.

Respiration rate can be determined by measuring decreases in producer biomass during time periods when the producer is
prevented from photosynthesizing. If kept in the dark most producers will be unable to fix CO2 and thus no primary
production will occur. However cellular respiration will continue to occur which will consume some of the stored glucose
in the tissues of the producers. As glucose is consumed, the producers biomass will decrease. The rate at which the
producers biomass decreases is the respiration rate of the producer.

In order to establish the GPP of an ecosystem, we need to know the NPP (measured changes in biomass during
photosynthesis) and the respiration rate (decreases in biomass that occur when only cell respiration is operating in the
producers). The relationship between GPP, NPP and respiration is as follows:

GPP = NPP + Respiration

In today’s lab we will be using the aquatic plant Elodea to determine primary productivity of a small model ecosystem (an
Erlenmeyer flask). However measuring the small changes in biomass that occur within a lab period as glucose is
produced and consumed in the cells of elodea far exceeds the sensitivity of our balances. So we will use dissolved oxygen
probes to measure the changes in the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water surrounding the elodea. From these
changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) we can determine what the changes in Elodea biomass are by using the balanced
equations for photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In order to understand how this is possible we need to remember a
few things from chemistry:

 Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration is measured in units of mg DO/L of solution.

  According to the balanced equation for photosynthesis, for every 6 molecules of O2 released, 1 molecule of
glucose (C6H12O6) is produced. This means that the mass of O2 released into the water will be proportional to the
mass of glucose produced in the cells of Elodea.
 According to the balanced equation for aerobic cellular respiration, for every 6 molecules of O2 consumed from
the water by Elodea, 1 molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) that was previously stored in the cells of Elodea will be
consumed. This means the mass of O2 consumed from the water will be proportional to the mass lost from
Elodeas cells due to glucose consumption during cellular respiration.
 Since the amount O2 released when glucose is produced in photosynthesis is equal to the amount of O2 consumed
when glucose is broken down during cellular respiration we can conclude that any change in the dissolved oxygen
level of the water surrounding photosynthetic plants is proportional to changes in glucose amounts in the plants
tissues and therefore proportional to changes in plant biomass. (if in a in a sealed container at constant pressure and
temperature)

Using this information we can convert changes in the waters DO levels into gains or losses in Elodeas biomass due to
changes in the amount of glucose stored in its tissues. Before continuing answer the prelab questions on the student
lab handout.

Materials and Methods:

Lamp with 100W bulb Parafilm
Ring stand and clamps DO probe and Data collection system
1, 250mL flask 1 sprig of Elodea, 6 cm long
1, 1000 ml beaker Dechlorinated tap water
Foil Ruler

Setting Up the DO Probe and Data Collection System

1. Power on the Data collection screen
2. Select “SparkVue” by tapping on the icon.
3. Tap the “Build” icon
4. Select the double-paned template at the top of the template list on the right side of the screen by tapping on it.
5. In the left hand pane of the new window, tap the decimal icon (1.23) in the middle of the top row of icons.
6. Tap “select measurement” at the top of the left window pane and set the measurement to “Dissolved Oxygen”
Make sure the units being used are “mg/L” and then click ok
7. In the right hand window pane, tap the table icon on the right hand end of the top row of icons.
8. Tap the time column of your new screen and change the units to minutes, then click ok
9. Tap “select measurement” at the top of the other column and set the measurement to “Dissolved Oxygen” Make
sure the units being used are “mg/L” and then click ok
10. Click on the “clock” icon at the bottom of the screen next to where it says “periodic” and change the sample rate
unit to minutes. And make sure the sample rate is set to 1. Then click ok.
11. Your data collection system is now set up and ready to begin collecting and recording the DO concentrations
every minute for as long as you keep the system running.

Setting Up the Experiment

1. Read the steps below and then create a neat and organized data table(s) before proceeding to set up the
experiment. Other people should be able to read your data table and quickly understand what data was collected
and under what conditions it was collected.
2. Place a 1000 mL beaker on a stir plate. Place the 250 mL flask in the 1000 mL beaker and fill the flask with
dechlorinated water until it just begins to over flow.
3. Add a stir bar to the flask.
4. Measure and cut a 15 cm sprig of healthy, green Elodea and place it into the 250 mL flask.
5. Place the stopper containing the DO probe firmly into the neck of the flask. Ensure that the tip of the DO probe
will not contact the stir bar once the bar begins spinning.
6. Slowly poor tap water into the beaker until it covers all but the rim of the 250 mL flask
7. Turn on the stir function to a medium speed and make sure the stir bar spins freely. DO NOT TURN ON THE
HEAT FUNCTION OF THE HOT PLATE / STIR PLATE!
8. Carefully cover the beaker / flask assembly with tin foil so that no light can reach the elodea.
9. Start the data collection system by pressing the green arrow next to the timer in the bottom left corner of the
screen. Record the DO level of the water in the flask every minute for 15 minutes.
10. After 15 minutes stop the data.
11. Position the light close to the beaker / flask so it will shine directly on the Elodea in the flask.
12. Remove the foil from the flask / beaker assembly.
13. Turn on the light and start the data collection system by pressing the green arrow next to the timer in the bottom
left corner of the screen. Record the DO level of the water in the flask every minute for 15 minutes.
14. After 15 minutes stop the data collection turn off the light.
15. Use the data collected to complete the data analysis part of the student handout for this lab.
16. Answer the discussion questions in the student handout for the lab.
 Measuring Primary Productivity in Elodea – Student Data and Analysis

Name: ________________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: _________

Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the molecular mass of 6 molecules of O2 produced during photosynthesis or consumed during cellular
respiration? Show how you determined this.

2. What is the molecular mass of 1 molecule of glucose produced during photosynthesis or consumed during cellular
respiration? Show how you determined this.

3. If the DO concentration of a sealed flask of water containing elodea increased by 3mg DO/L of solution, how
much of a mass change would you expect in the Elodea due to changes in the amount of glucose in its cells.
(assume constant pressure and temperature) Show your work.

4. Does the change in DO concentration in the previous question represent an increase or decrease in the glucose
levels and biomass of the plant tissues? How do you know?

5. Does your answer in question 3 reflect the GPP, NPP, or respiration rate for the flask of Elodea? Explain.

6. Now read the experimental procedure, then create a neat, organized data table in the space provided below to
record the data that you will collect in this lab. Other people should be able to read your table and quickly
understand what data was collected and under what conditions it was collected.

Lab Data
Create your data table(s) in the space below.
Data Analysis
Use the table below to summarize the data from your previous table.
Initial DO Final DO Change in DO
Light Level Concentrations Concentration Concentration
(mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
Bright Light

Dark

Create a line graph showing the relationship of time and DO concentration in bright light vs. dark conditions.

 Calculate the rate of change in mass of Elodea under bright light conditions due to changes in stored glucose.
Express your answer in mg C6H12O6 /L/sec. Show all work.

 Calculate the rate of change in mass of Elodea in dark conditions due to changes in stored glucose. Express your
answer in mg C6H12O6 /L/sec. Show all work.

 Use the values calculated above to determine the GPP of elodea under todays experimental conditions. Express
your answer in mg C6H12O6 /L/sec. Show all work
Discussion
1. We conducted two experimental measurements of DO today, one in the light and one in the dark. List at least
four controlled variables that were kept constant between the two experiments. Why was it necessary to keep
each of these variables constant?

2. What process(es) resulted in the final DO concentration recorded under bright light conditions? Explain.

3. What process(es) resulted in the final DO concentration recorded under dark conditions? Explain.

4. Which of the values in today’s lab (GPP, NPP, Respiration rate) would be most directly useful to an ecologist
looking to estimate the number of consumers a pond of Elodea could support? Explain your reasoning.

5. Suppose the DO concentration in the bright light conditions actually decreased during your experiment. What
would this decrease in DO concentration indicate about the rates of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
relative to each other? If this decrease occurred in an actual ecosystem what concerns would you have for the
ecosystem?

6. The gross primary productivity of a certain chaparral ecosystem is 4.5 kg/m2/yr, and the energy needed by the
producers for their own respiration is 3.0 kg/m2/yr. What is the net primary productivity of this ecosystem?
7. On average, vegetation contains 21 kilojoules of energy per gram of biomass (21 kJ/g). Assuming the ecosystem
in the previous question covers 1000 m2, how much did the energy content of the producers in the question above
change by over the year? (show your work)

8. Based on your answer to the previous question, how much energy would be available for the bobcat population
and other secondary consumers to compete for? (show your work)

9. Use your answers to the previous question to sketch a fully labelled trophic pyramid showing the results of your
calculations and the movement of energy as it is transferred through this ecosystem.

10. Explain why most ecosystems do not contain much more than four or five trophic levels?

11. What two abiotic factors have the greatest effect on the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems? On aquatic
ecosystems?

12. Explain the reasons behind following observations:

a. Tropical latitudes generally have a higher NPP values than any others on earth.

b. The NPP values for the continental shelf regions of oceans are greater than the NPP values of open ocean
ecosystems.

13. Solar radiation of 15,000 kcal/m2/yr reaches a meadow. Producers in this meadow ecosystem use 80% of the
glucose they produce during photosynthesis to power their own metabolic processes and supply a net primary
productivity of 60,000cal/m2/yr to the rest of the meadow ecosystem. What is the efficiency of photosynthesis in
the meadow producers? (show your work)