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  • Essay / The three experiments on photosynthesis, chromatography and wavelength of light

    Table of contentsIntroductionMethods and materialsDiscussionThree experiments were conducted and correlated with each other. The first was to see how starch is only stored when a plant is capable of photosynthesis. Using iodine, it showed how much starch was stored. The darker the leaf absorbed by iodine, the more starch is stored. The second is to separate the pigments of a plant to see what colors make up the plant. Using the chromatography technique, the separation of pigments is clearly demonstrated. The final experiment showed the wavelengths of light absorbed by spirulina and geranium. Knowing this helps us know which colors help plants perform photosynthesis efficiently. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayIntroduction Photosynthesis is a cycle that occurs in plants when light energy is used to convert into chemical energy that provides then fuel for other living organisms. During this process, light energy is absorbed by a green substance found in chloroplasts called chlorophyll. This converts CO2 in the air and water into glucose, which releases the oxygen we use to breathe. Without light photosynthesis, glucose will not be produced efficiently. The green pigment in plants is made up of different colors that the plant absorbs. Chromatography is a technique used to see which pigments make up the color of a substance, in this case the color of plants. Chromatography works by placing a spot of a substance on a special chromatography paper and using a solute it moves up the paper to separate different pigments. Thus, revealing different pigment colors. The role of light plays a very important role in plants. Plants are capable of absorbing specific wavelengths of light ranging from 380 nm to 700 nm. This spectrum corresponds to the colors humans see (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). Purple having the most energy and red having the least energy. Different colors allow the plant to absorb and carry out photosynthesis efficiently. Colors like purple/blue and red are most effective in providing energy to the plant. Methods and Materials Three separate experiments were conducted. The first was made by taking two geranium leaves. One was exposed to light for 48 hours and the other was not exposed to light for the same duration. Next, a beaker half-filled with approximately 300 ml of distilled water was placed on a hot plate to boil. Once the water was boiled, the two leaves were placed to “cook” until they resembled overcooked vegetables. Once cooking was complete, the two leaves were placed in a beaker and placed back in the water, making it a water bath with ethanol added to the beaker. It was left alone until the leaves turned white. The leaves were then placed on a petri dish and iodine was poured into them. The leaves were then left to soak in iodine. The second experiment was carried out. Spinach leaves were obtained with a mortar and pestle and began to grind the leaves. Then some sand, spirulina powder and acetone were poured over the spinach. With cheesecloth and a beaker underneath, the contents of the spinach were poured out leaving the liquid. With a wooden stick and chromatography paper, a point was placed approximately one inch from the bottom of the.