Alex Choi, Henry Danchi, Dharav Vyas, Dylan Neuworth 4B Piluk 11/8/2011 Photosynthesis Lab Conclusion In the first

part of this lab, paper chromatography was performed to separate the different pigments of plant cells. First, a graduated cylinder with solvent was obtained. A piece of paper was then cut to a point so that the bottom of the paper would touch the solvent at a small contact point at the bottom. After the pigments from spinach leaf cells were extracted onto the piece of paper with a coin, the paper was hung inside the cylinder to a hook on the cork. After time had passed, the paper was observed. By observing the end result, we were able to see that different pigments of different colors existed in plant cells. Finally, Rf values were measured by dividing each pigment s migration distance by the solvent front s migration distance. A possible error in obtaining the Rf values was uncertainty in measuring the migration distance of each pigment. The fronts of the solvent and pigments were not cut out like lines. By taking several measurements and calculating their average, more accurate distances can be measured. In the second part of the lab, rates of photosynthesis were observed by measuring the transmittance of light through cuvettes of differing chloroplast solutions. By doing this, different possible factors of the rates of photosynthesis were also tested. In cuvette 1, only water and phosphate buffer was added to indicate any changes in transmittance from factors other than those being tested. Its measurement acted as the zeroing basis for the other cuvettes. In cuvette 2, phosphate buffer, water, DPIP, and unboiled chloroplasts were added, but the cuvette was kept away from light. This allowed us to confirm the fact that without light, electrons cannot be produced from water molecules through light-dependent reactions since there was no light available. Cuvette 3 was the only sample under normal/ideal conditions. It contained phosphate buffer, water, DPIP, and unboiled chloroplasts and it was supplied a light source. Cuvette 4 contained phosphate buffer, water, DPIP, and boiled chloroplasts. By observing the transmittance of boiled chloroplasts, we were able to determine the effect of denaturation of proteins in them. In cuvette 5, phosphate buffer, water, and DPIP were added, but chloroplasts were not. Doing this showed the effect the chloroplasts had in determining the transmittance of the solution within each cuvette. Possible sources of error from this part of the lab are measuring errors and the purity of the cuvettes. Because fluid measurements are never exact, some cuvettes may have had more water or DPIP than others. This could have caused minor changes in the lab data. Since the cuvettes were not sanitized, they could have contained impurities that may have affected lab results. Both problems would be mitigated by the addition of replication trials.

Alex Choi, Henry Danchi, Dharav Vyas, Dylan Neuworth 4B Piluk 11/8/2011 Works Cited Campbell, N.A., & Reece, J.B. (2008). Biology (8th ed.). Benjamin Cummings. College Entrance Examination Board. (2001). Biology Lab Manual. The College Board.