1. Under what conditions do you expect photosynthesis to occur in the algae beads?

How will
this affect the indicator solution?

1. Photosynthesis is expected to occur in the algae beads under conditions of light

exposure (typically the sun). This will lead to a decrease in CO2 levels within the solution,
as the algae beads absorb CO2 for photosynthesis. Consequently, the indicator solution
will turn purple due to decreases in carbonic acid concentration and a pH increase.

2. Under what conditions do you expect cellular respiration to occur in the algae beads? How will
this affect the indicator solution?

1. Cellular respiration is expected to occur in algae beads when they are in the dark or
deprived of light. This process uses oxygen and glucose to release CO2 into the solution,
resulting in a carbonic acid and CO2 concentration increase, and a pH decrease. This is
the opposite for photosynthesis, which requires light energy from the sun and uses CO2
and water to create glucose and oxygen. Consequently, the indicator solution will turn
yellow as a sign of higher CO2 levels.

3. With your lab group:

1. Choose one experimental variable that you will investigate during this lab.

 The experimental variable that will be tested in this investigation are the various
colors of cellophane available: red, green, or white, and how they influence

2. What is your dependent variable? How will you measure this?

 The dependent variable in this investigation is the oxygen concentration in the

phenol red CO2 indicator solution, which is sensitive and prone to change from
pH fluctuations caused by the CO2 concentration from the algae beads.

Cellular respiration, a process cells undergo to create energy (ATP) and water
from glucose and oxygen, also releases CO2, which will result in higher CO2 and
carbonic concentration in the solution.

A higher CO2 concentration indicates a lower oxygen concentration, with the

color of the indicator solution turning more yellowish as the pH level lowers and
becomes acidic; meanwhile, lower CO2 concentration indicates higher oxygen
concentration, with the color of the indicator turning purple as pH levels rise
and the solution becomes basic.

3. What control group will you use as a baseline for your experimental variable?

 An Eppendorf tube wrapped in aluminum foil containing the CO2 indicator

solution and ten algae beads will serve as the negative control; these conditions
prevent light from reaching its contents. Lack of a light source will prevent algae
beads from undergoing photosynthesis, which will be the condition preferable
for no changes in oxygen concentration and serve as an “expected” result.
 The expected response is a yellow solution with a low pH, as because
photosynthesis is not occurring, cellular respiration will be due to lack of light.
As established, this process will produce CO2, acidifying and making a yellow
solution.

4. What variable(s) will need to be held constant?

 Intensity and distance of the light source must be maintained and held constant
to properly investigate the oxygen concentration and whether cellophane color
influenced photosynthesis and cellular respiration rate, rather than light
distance or intensity. Furthermore, algae bead count must be constant because
an inconsistency or discrepancy of algae beads between Eppendorf tube could
lead to increase photosynthesis or cellular respiration rate, as more organisms
are performing photosynthesis.

5. Hypothesize how your experimental variable will impact the CO2 levels in the algae
bead environment.

 The Eppendorf tube wrapped in aluminum foil, lacking light, will yield a yellow indicator
solution color due to a lower pH level (more acidic) from more CO2 being released from
cellular respiration and absence of photosynthesis, creating carbonic acid and higher CO2
concentrations.

 The Eppendorf tube covered in white cellophane, receiving light, will result in a purple
indicator solution color due to a higher pH level (more basic) from photosynthesis using
CO2 from the solution (CO2 serves as a product of this process), leading to a lower CO2
concentration from a light increase that will cause higher photosynthesis rate.

 The Eppendorf tube covered in red cellophane, receiving light, will result in a deeper
purple indicator solution color due to a higher pH level (more basic) from photosynthesis
using even more CO2 from the solution, leading to lower solution CO2 concentration
from an increase of light that causes higher photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll in the
algae’s chloroplast to absorb more light when the light source is red or blue.

 The Eppendorf tube covered in green cellophane, receiving light, will result in a light
purple/magenta indicator solution color due to a higher pH level (more basic) from
photosynthesis using CO2 from the solution, leading to lower CO2 concentrations and an
increase of light that result in higher photosynthesis rate; however, the chlorophyll in the
algae’s chloroplast reflects green light wavelengths, inhibiting photosynthesis rate.

6. On a separate sheet of paper, design a procedure (list or flowchart) that you will follow
during your lab. HINT: For valid results, each tube should have 10 algae beads. You
have a maximum of 4 tubes to use.