Question

The diagram given below represents an experiment to prove the importance of a factor in photosynthesis. Answer the questions that follow:

1. Name the factor studied in this experiment.
2. What will you observe in the experimental leaf after the starch test?
3. Explain the process of photosynthesis.
4. Give a balanced chemical equation to represent the process of photosynthesis.
5. Draw a neat, labelled diagram of an experimental setup to show that oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

Answer 1

1. The factor studied in this experiment is Sunlight.
2. It will be observed that only the parts of the leaf that could get sunlight turn blue-black, and the parts covered with black paper do not turn blue, as they could not synthesise starch.
3. Photosynthesis is the process by which living plant cells, containing chlorophyll, produce food substances (glucose and starch) from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy. Plants release oxygen as a by-product during photosynthesis.
4. \[\ce{6CO2 + 12H2O ->[Light energy][Chlorophyll] C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2\uparrow}\]
5.