Laboratory Exercise No.

4
Sugar Production
Introduction
Autotrophic organisms have the ability to convert physical and chemical sources of energy
into carbohydrates in the absence of organic substrates. Most of the external energy is consumed in
transforming carbon dioxide into a reduced state that is compatible with the need of the cell (-
CHOH-).
Objective/s
At the end of this laboratory exercise, the student should:
a. Discuss the rate of photosynthesis by determining the amount of starch formed in the
leaves subjected to various treatments through the qualitative method.
Materials
3 potted (Vigna radiata) mungo plants beaker test tube
(Sown two weeks in advance in pots) electric stove alcohol lamp
Carbon paper/foil
Ethanol 95% glass jar
1M NaOH solution paper clip
Lugol’s solution/ iodine solution
Watch glass/petri plates

Procedure
Preparation of Experimental Plants
a. Secure V.radiata seedlings. Two weeks before the conduct of the laboratory experiment, sow
several V. radiata seeds in three pots. Thin out to two plants per pot after 1 week. Expose the
plants to full light. Water them regularly and protect them against the pests and diseases.
b. On day before the laboratory experiment leave 1 leaflet of each plant. Make the following
treatments:
i. Expose to normal conditions(control)
ii. Cover leaflet with carbon paper using a paper clip to fix the material.
iii. Insert the leaflet in a glass jar filled with NaOH solution. Seal using masking tape.

Test for the presence of starch

a. Detach and then dip the leaves of V.radiata in boiling water for 5 seconds to kill the tissues.
b. Soak the leaves kept in 60°C for 10 minutes or until discolored
c. Soak leaves in Lugol’s solution for 3 minutes in a watch glass.
d. Rinse the leaves with water and examine for the presence of starch (bluish color indicates
presence of starch).

Laboratory Exercise No.4-Sugar Production

Name: Salon, Princess Giulian Vianney B. Score: ______________

Yr./Cr./Sec.: 3 BS Biology-A Date: September 08, 2023

Present and discuss your results.

- Various treatments were performed on plant leaflets, leading to distinct outcomes. One leaflet,
covered with carbon paper, went through several steps, including boiling and chemical
testing, revealing the absence of starch. In contrast, a control leaflet exposed to normal
conditions exhibited a bluish color, indicating the presence of starch. Another leaflet treated
with NaOH also lacked starch due to carbon dioxide absorption, which hindered
photosynthesis necessary for starch production. In summary, the absence of starch in the
carbon-covered leaflet was due to limited sunlight exposure, as photosynthesis relies on light.
Conversely, the normally exposed leaf synthesized starch because of ample light. Lastly, the
NaOH-treated leaflet lacked starch due to carbon dioxide absorption, inhibiting
photosynthesis and starch synthesis.

Study Questions:
1. What is the reduction reaction? Why does a reduction reaction always occur
simultaneously with an oxidation reaction?
- According to the definition, during reduction, an atom acquires one or more electrons.
Oxidation and reduction are interconnected processes since the loss of electrons by one
substance necessitates the acquisition of electrons by another substance.

2. Imagine a leaf in bright but an atmosphere with no carbon dioxide. Would RuBP
carboxylase be functioning? Would the NADP be in the reduced or oxidized form?
- RuBP carboxylase, also known as Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase or
RuBisCO, relies on the presence of carbon dioxide for its proper function. Its primary role
is to initiate the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by binding with
carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis.
- NADP (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) exists in two variants: NADP+
(oxidized) and NADPH (reduced). Without carbon dioxide, photosynthesis cannot occur,
leading to an impaired function of the electron transport chain within the thylakoid
membrane. This chain is responsible for converting NADP+ into NADPH during the
light-dependent processes of photosynthesis. Without this reduction process, NADP
would primarily remain in its oxidized form, NADP+.
References:

Redirect notice. (n.d.). https://www.google.com/url?

sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://chem.libretexts.org/
Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%253A_Chem_309_-
_General_Organic_and_Biochemistry_(Bennett)/

Stryer, L. (1995). Biochemistry (4th edition). W. H. Freeman and Company.

Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2017). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (7th edition). W. H.
Freeman and Company.
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