five4fightin ~

2010-08-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Colors of leaves

Season changes
Leaves turns brown when it is autumn, but why is that so? Well, to find out the answer, we must first know what are the functions of leaves

Basically, leaves gets it's water throught the plant's root, and they also take in carbon dioxide throught their stomata. They then uses the sunlights to turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. The way plants uses the sunlights to turn carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose is by photosynthesis. Chorophyll, which is present in chloroplast in the plant is involoved in photosynthesis. It is chloroplast which gives the plant it's green colour

As the summber ends, there somes autumn. The days also gets shorter and shorter. This is how the plants "know" to get prepared for winter.

During winter, there is very little water and sunlight for the plant to photosynthesis. Thus, the trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They began to shut down their "food-making factory", and their green chlorophyll will disappear. As the greens fade, the leave will turn yellow-orange color. But why that color? These color is actually the actual color of the plant all along, we just can't see it during summer as the chlorophyll in the plant is still present for photosynthesis

In fall, we would usually see plants with bright red or puple color leaves. Glusoce in the leaves(Like the maple leaves) is trapped in the leaves as photosynthesis stops, and with the sunlight and the cool nights from the autumn, the leaves began to turn glucose into red color. The brown color of trees(Like the oak tree) is made from wastes left in the leaves-(More explaination on colors below)

Preparations for winter
In winter, the days are shorter and it is very hard to find water. But how do plants survive throught the winter? They have lots of method to doing so.

Some plants are called "annual" which means they would complete their life cycle in one growing season. They would die as the sinter approches, but their seeds remain, ready to germinate and sprout again in the spring. "Perennial"live for more then 2 years. This includes treesand shrubs and other herbaceous plant which have soft fleshy stems. When winter comes, their woody parts of these plants are able to survive the cold, but the above ground of the plant's part, which are the leaves and stems, will die, leaving the underground parts alive. Thus in the winter, these plants will rest and use the stored food until spring

As the plants get older, they tend to shed their older leaves and grow new ones. This is important as theis helps the plants to replace damaged leaves made by the insects, diseases, or weather. The shedding and replacments continues all the time. Thus, leaves like maple, will shed their leaves in preparations for the cold winter

"Evergreen" plants, however, keeps their leaves throught the winter. They have special leaves which are somehow resistance to the cold and moisture lost. many plants have different shape of leaves to adapt to the cold winter. Some leaves, like the pine and fir tree have long thin needle like leaves, while others, like the holly, have board leaves with tough waxy surfaces. This leaves somtimes reduce their exposed area by curling up. Evergreen plants may continue to photosynthesis, as long as they have enough water, but reaction occurs slower as the temperature is low.

During the summer, the leaves would make more food then it needs. The excess food are turned into starch. These starch are used for the autumn when daylight gets shorter. The plants will then shut down their food production
Many things occurs in the leaves of the deciduous trees before they finally fall off the branches. The leaves have always been preparing food for the trees since the start of spring. At the base of the leaves, there is a special layer called "abscission" or seperating layer. During the summer, small tubes which passes throught this layer is carrying water into the leaves, and the food back to the tree. Whereas in the fall, the cells of the abscission layer began to swell and form cork like material, reducing the cut off flow between the leaves and the trees. Glucose, as well as waste products, is trapped in the leave. Without water to renew it, the chlorophyll begin to fade off.

Does color matters?
The red and purple colors comes from anthocyanin pigments. These pigments are potent antioxidents common in many plants. For intense, red apple, purple grapes, and red wine, flowers like violets and hyacinths. In some leaves, like the maple, these pigments are formes during the autumn from the trapping of starch. But why would the leaves use energy to make these pigment even thought the leaves are going to fall off? Some scientist thought the pigments anthocyanin will help the trees keep their leaves abit longer. The pigments will protect the leaves from the sun and also lower their freezing point, thus giving frst protection. The longer the leaves remain on the tree, and more sugar, and other valuble substances can be remove from the leaves before they fall. There is another possible reason: When the leaves decay, the anthocyanin will seep into the ground, preventing other plants species from growing in the spring

The brown color comes from tannin, which is the bitter waste product. Other colors, which has been all along on the plant, become visible without the chlorophyll. The orange color come from carotene and the yellow from xantheophyll. They are all common pigments found in flowers, and even food like carrots, egg yolks, etc. We do not know their exact functions in the leae, but scientist do know that they are somehow involved in photosynthesis.

Banana and autumn leaves...? What's there in common?
Do you know that while banana are still unripe, the color green is actually chloropyll? It is the same pigment that gives the green it's green color! However, as the banana becomes ripen, the chlorophyll will break down and disappear, revealing the yellowish color which has been the banana's real color form. During the autumn, the leaves also show off theit true colors as the chloroplast breaks down. There are also another changes in the banana as it ripen. The starch changes to sugar and the flesh soften as the pectin(a carbohydrate) breaks down.

Metabolism and its info

2010-08-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

Metabolism can be split into 2 different processes such as anabolism and catabolism
Anabolism is s the set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units.These reactions require energy. One way of categorizing metabolic processes, whether at the cellular, organ or organism level is as 'anabolic' or as 'catabolic', which is the opposite. Anabolism is powered by catabolism, where large molecules are broken down into smaller parts and then used up in respiration. Many anabolic processes are powered by adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Anabolic processes tend toward "building up" organs and tissues. These processes produce growth and differentiation of cells and increase in body size, a process that involves synthesis of complex molecules. Examples of anabolic processes include the growth and mineralization of bone and increases in muscle mass.

Endocrinologists have traditionally classified hormones as anabolic or catabolic, depending on which part of metabolism they stimulate. The classic anabolic hormones are the anabolic steroids, which stimulate protein synthesis and muscle growth. The balance between anabolism and catabolism is also regulated by circadian rhythms, with processes such as glucose metabolism fluctuating to match an animal's normal periods of activity throughout the day.

Catabolism is

is the set of pathways that break down molecules into smaller units and release energy.^[1] In catabolism, large molecules such as polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins are broken down into smaller units such as monosaccharides, fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino acids, respectively. As molecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids are made from long chains of these small monomer units (mono = one + mer = part), the large molecules are called polymers (poly = many).

Cells use the monomers released from breaking down polymers to either construct new polymer molecules, or degrade the monomers further to simple waste products, releasing energy. Cellular wastes include lactic acid, acetic acid, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and urea. The creation of these wastes is usually an oxidation process involving a release of chemical free energy, some of which is lost as heat, but the rest of which is used to drive the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This molecule acts as a way for the cell to transfer the energy released by catabolism to the energy-requiring reactions that make up anabolism. Catabolism therefore provides the chemical energy necessary for the maintenance and growth of cells. Examples of catabolic processes include glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, the breakdown of muscle protein in order to use amino acids as substrates for gluconeogenesis and breakdown of fat in adipose tissue to fatty acids.

There are many signals that control catabolism. Most of the known signals are hormones and the molecules involved in metabolism itself. Endocrinologists have traditionally classified many of the hormones as anabolic or catabolic, depending on which part of metabolism they stimulate. The so-called classic catabolic hormones known since the early 20th century are cortisol, glucagon, and adrenaline (and other catecholamines). In recent decades, many more hormones with at least some catabolic effects have been discovered, including cytokines, orexin (also known as hypocretin), and melatonin

2010-08-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

ATP and ADP
ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate, is a molecule so central to microbial life that its measurement is directly related to biomass energy level. ATP is an energy carrier located within living biological cells that manages all biological functions, such as food consumption, maintenance, and reproduction. Like any living creature on Earth, microorganisms require ATP to survive – without it, there would be no life! ATP is found in any living life form, from a simple one–celled organism to you and I. Our kits use sophisticated techniques to detect the simplest natural product.
Bolded words gives out the explanation for ATP and its function
ADP
After a simple reaction breaking down ATP to ADP, the energy released from the breaking of a molecular bond is the energy we use to keep ourselves alive.
Relation of ATP and Glucose

Many ATP are needed every second by a cell, so ATP is created inside them due to the demand, and the fact that organisms like ourselves are made up of millions of cells.

Glucose, a sugar that is delivered via the bloodstream, is the product of the food you eat, and this is the molecule that is used to create ATP. Sweet foods provide a rich source of readily available glucose while other foods provide the materials needed to create glucose.

This glucose is broken down in a series of enzyme controlled steps that allow the release of energy to be used by the organism. This process is called respiration.

Posted by wilber

2010-08-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

3THREE things that I DONOT understand/confused.

What is metabolism ?

What is required for the light independant stage ?

What is required for the light dependant stage ?

What must we remember for our exams ?!

3THREE things that I have LEARNT.

Learnt alot new terms like place mitochondria, that isthe ‘factories’ containing enzymes for the chemical process of respiration. You know it is capable of breaking down glucose ? [durhs. then how is it broken down? im madd]

In the dark stage, carbon dioxide is reduced not magically but by the help of enzymes

Enzymes plays a very importantt role in our lives. In our digestion, respiration and photosynthesis.

Not only plants photosynthesize but also some bacteria and uncommon animals.

And we learnt

Photosynthesis occurs in two stages. These stages are called the light reactions and the dark reactions. The light reactions take place in the presence of light. The dark reactions do not require direct light, however dark reactions in most plants occur during the day.Light reactions occur mostly in the thylakoid stacks of the grana. Here, sunlight is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP (free energy containing molecule) and NADPH (high energy electron carrying molecule). Chlorophyll absorbs light energy and starts a chain of steps that result in the production of ATP, NADPH, and oxygen (through the splitting of water). Oxygen is released through the stomata. Both ATP and NADPH are used in the dark reactions to produce sugar.Dark reactions occur in the stomata. Carbon dioxide is converted to sugar using ATP and NADPH. This process is known as carbon fiction or the Calvin cycle. Carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon sugar creating a 6-carbon sugar. The 6-carbon sugar is eventually broken-down into two molecules, glucose and fructose. These two molecules make sucrose or sugar.

to end of i wanna say from the bottom of my heart ...

ILOVEYOU ENZYMES!

maddglenn

2010-08-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

HARLO HUMANS AGAIN! [i'm on theverge of insanity]

http://www.anaerobicrespiration.net/

Visit this web, its about respiration BUT it explains how it ties itself with digestion, in yeast, in fermentation or whatever.

ENJOY!
glenn.

2010-08-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

Full explanation about anaerobic respiration and aerobic respiration,

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration is a way for an organism to produce usable energy, in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, without the involvement of oxygen; it is respiration without oxygen. This process is mainly used by prokaryotic organisms (bacteria) that live in environments devoid of oxygen. Although oxygen is not used, the process is still called respiration because the basic three steps of respiration are all used, namely glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the respiratory chain, or electron transport chain. It is the use of the third and final step that defines the process as respiration. In order for the electron transport chain to function, a final electron acceptor must be present to take the electron away from the system after it is used. In aerobic organisms, this final electron acceptor is oxygen. Oxygen is a highly electronegative atom and therefore is an excellent candidate for the job. In anaerobes, the chain still functions, but oxygen is not used as the final electron acceptor. Other less electronegative substances such as sulfate (SO₄), nitrate (NO₃), and sulfur (S) are used. Oftentimes, anaerobic organisms are obligate anaerobes, meaning they can only respire using anaerobic compounds and can actually die in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic respiration is not the same as fermentation, which does not use either the citric acid cycle or the respiratory chain (electron transport chain) and therefore, cannot be classified as respiration.

Abstract Oxyanions of arsenic and selenium can be used in microbial anaerobic respiration as terminal electron acceptors. The detection of arsenate and selenate respiring bacteria in numerous pristine and contaminated environments and their rapid appearance in enrichment culture suggest that they are widespread and metabolically active in nature. Although the bacterial species that have been isolated and characterized are still few in number, they are scattered throughout the bacterial domain and include Gram-positive bacteria, beta, gamma and epsilon Proteobacteria and the sole member of a deeply branching lineage of the bacteria, Chrysiogenes arsenatus. The oxidation of a number of organic substrates (i.e. acetate, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, ethanol) or hydrogen can be coupled to the reduction of arsenate and selenate, but the actual donor used varies from species to species. Both periplasmic and membrane-associated arsenate and selenate reductases have been characterized. Although the number of subunits and molecular masses differs, they all contain molybdenum. The extent of the environmental impact on the transformation and mobilization of arsenic and selenium by microbial dissimilatory processes is only now being fully appreciated.

Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen in order to generate energy (ATP). Although carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can all be processed and consumed as reactant, it is the preferred method of pyruvate breakdown from glycolysis and requires that pyruvate enter the mitochondrion in order to be fully oxidized by the Krebs cycle. The product of this process is energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), by substrate-level phosphorylation, NADH and FADH₂.

Simplified reaction:	C₆H₁₂O₆ (aq) + 6 O₂ (g) → 6 CO₂ (g) + 6 H₂O (l)
	ΔG = -2880 kJ per mole of C₆H₁₂O₆

The negative ΔG indicates that the products of the chemical process store less energy than the reactants and the reaction can happen spontaneously; In other words, without an input of energy.

The reducing potential of NADH and FADH₂ is converted to more ATP through an electron transport chain with oxygen as the "terminal electron acceptor". Most of the ATP produced by aerobic cellular respiration is made by oxidative phosphorylation. This works by the energy released in the consumption of pyruvate being used to create a chemiosmotic potential by pumping protons across a membrane. This potential is then used to drive ATP synthase and produce ATP from ADP. Biology textbooks often state that 38 ATP molecules can be made per oxidised glucose molecule during cellular respiration (2 from glycolysis, 2 from the Krebs cycle, and about 34 from the electron transport system). However, this maximum yield is never quite reached due to losses (leaky membranes) as well as the cost of moving pyruvate and ADP into the mitochondrial matrix and current estimates range around 29 to 30 ATP per glucose.

Aerobic metabolism is 19 times more efficient than anaerobic metabolism (which yields 2 mol ATP per 1 mol glucose). They share the initial pathway of glycolysis but aerobic metabolism continues with the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The post glycolytic reactions take place in the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells, and in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells.

Any questions do post down the comments below ty.Wilber

2010-08-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

What happens if we remove oxygen from a plant?
As plants respire aerobically , which is a form of respiration which requires oxygen , when oxygen is removed ,it may have to respire anaerobically to provide energy needed for its activities. However, while this may provide the plant with energy, it does not produce Carbon Dioxide(CO2) that is needed for photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis , the plant will not be able to produce food(glucose) , and it will eventually die. Other than that , the process of anaerobic respiration produces the toxic ethanol , in which excess of it may kill the plant as well.
from KKXRDHX

Disagree: Due to the fact that plants needs carbon dioxide,chances of anaerobic respiration is 0% as anaerobic respiration does not give much energy and the plants do not need much energy
Wilber

Disagree: "it does not produce CO2 that is needed for photosynthesis"

eh, I thought they did? This is the equation for ANAEROBIC respiration >
Glucose -> Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide + Energy
aka
C6H12O6 -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + Energy
Carbon Dioxide is produced what .. Besides, the carbon dioxide can be obtained from other means like from the air, its not necessarily a must for the CO2 to be produced by the plant.
Glenn

Other blahs/weird facts :S
When an organism, such as yeast, runs out of oxygen, it produces ethanol instead of water
When human muscles run out of oxygen, they produce lactic acid instead of water.

Ethanol and lactic acid are poisonous to yeast and humans, respectively, which is why anaerobic respiration cannot continue indefinitely in either organism.

QUESTION> So, is lactic acid harmful for plants ?
find out in 2 days ..
Posted By Glenn

Experiments

2010-08-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the experiments we did on Thursday and Friday.

The MEALWORM experiment

Apparatus:
1 Tweezers
3 Test tube
1 Measuring cylinder [Smaller version for measuring small amount of liquid]
1 Test tube rack
3 Stoppers
3 Wire Gauze [Made into 'mini bowl' shape]
3 Copper Wires [Each about 10cm, to be attached to 'bowls' for convenience]

Materials:
70 Mealworms [Keep them in a container with holes for respiration and with bread for food]
5 Beetles
1 Bottle of Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator
1 Stopwatch

Steps:
1. Using the measuring cylinder, measure around 5ml of the Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator by gently pressing the bottle for the solution to drip out.
2. Pour the solution in the measuring cylinder into the test tube and immediately cover it with a stopper after the 'mini bowl' wire mesh have been placed inside and then place it at the test tube rack.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for the next 2 test tubes. Once that is done, proceed to step 4.
4. Open a test tube and using the tweezers,slowly retrieving the mealworms inside the container,put 40 mealworms into the test tube. Do not tilt or shake the test tube as the solution might touch the wire mesh bowl and kill the mealworms in it. After all the mealworms are in, push in the stopper and start timing for 20 minutes and label it test tube 1.
5. Repeat step 4 but this time with only 20 mealworms and label it test tube 2.
6. The final test tube will be for us humans to breathe carbon dioxide into it. Place the last test tube near the mouth and exhale. After 10 minutes, push the stopper back in.
7. Make your observations.

Results:
Test tube 1 [40worms] >>> The Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator turns from purple to yellowish-red.
Test tube 2 [20worms] >>> The Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator turns from purple to distant yellowish-red.
Test tube 3 [Breathe] >>> The Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator turns from purple to distant yellowish-red.

Experimental error:
1. The timing for the mealworms to respire was too short to observe very obvious changes in the solution.
2. Another experimental error would be that some of us kept the test tube open while placing in the mealworms so, the solution might have turned yellowish-red due to us exhaling, not the mealworm.
3. We used 39mealworms and 1 beetle in Test tube 2. It makes it unfair as a beatle might have exhale more carbon dioxide compared to a mealworm maybe due to different respiratory needs or system.

BUSSTMEE> Did you know that limewater(saturated calcium hydroxide solution)(different from lime juice) can replace the Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator in this experiment but it would take a longer duration for the experiment to be carried out.

The Cobalt Chloride paper experiment

Materials:
Strips of Cobalt Chloride Paper [Required amount]
Ourselves

Procedure:

1. After the Cobalt Chloride paper is taken out from its container, place it near your mouth and exhale on to it. Remember not to hold it too close to prevent chloride poisoning.

Expected Results:
The cobalt chloride paper turned from blue to slightly pale pink.

Observed Results:
The cobalt chloride paper that was pale pink remained the same colour.

Experimental error:
1. The cobalt chloride paper was stored in a container that wasn't air tight.Thus, the water vapour in the air might have already change the paper from blue to pink.Therefore so we don't see a change.

Conclusion:
Gases we exhale contains water vapour.

BUSTME> Here's an experiment using COBALT CHLORIDE PAPER to determine which side of the leaf losses more water?

Which side of the leaf loses more water experiment

Materials:
4 Stripes of cobalt chloride paper [It MUST be blue]
Adhesive tape [aka, Scotch Tape, must be Transparent]
1 Potted Plant with leaves
1 Stopwatch

Procedure:
1. Tape a strip of cobalt chloride paper to each side of 2 leaves.
2. Use one leaf in the sunlight and one leaf in the shade.
3. Remember leaves need to remain attached to the plant!
4. Every 60 seconds for 10 minutes, record the color of the paper. (Is it still blue, part pink, all pink, etc.?)
5. Record your data in a table such as found below.
6. When allowed to sit in a dry location, the cobalt chloride strips will return to their original state and can be reused.

And this is what you should see:

Ta-dah! The underside part of the leaf losses more water.
Posted by Glenn edited by wilber

2010-08-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Firstly,lets talk about the factor that affect the photosynthesis.

The amounts of water,carbon dioxide concentration,light intensity,temperature,Pollution and Chlorophyll concentration.

The amount of water is effected by how much is taken up through the roots and how much is lost from the leaves. If less water is available in the leaf then photosynthesis will occur more slowly.

Similarly, if there is less carbon dioxide around then photosynthesis will occur more slowly. There wont be enough of the fuel (substrate) to get the reaction to work.

If there is less sun, which usually means it is cooler too, then there is less energy for photosynthesis and it occurs more slowly. So photosynthesis works best when it is warm and sunny - don't we all!

The enzymes work better in warm conditions (up to about 50ºC when enzymes start to be destroyed by heat), so if the water is too hot, the enzymes will stop work as it is being denatured.

As what we've learn in class this morning, plants also have to 'breath', they will "fight" with u in night for get more oxygen. Thus, if there is air pollution, the process of photosynthesis will also become slower by breath in the polluted air.

The concentration of chlorophyll affects the rate of reaction as they absorb the light energy without which the reactions cannot proceed. Lack of chlorophyll or deficiency of chlorophyll results in chlorosis or yellowing of leaves. It can occur due to disease, mineral deficiency or the natural process of aging (senescence). Lack of iron, magnesium, nitrogen and light affect the formation of chlorophyll and thereby causes chlorosis

In conclusion, the best condition for plants to photosynthesis are:
1)There is enough water for the plant.
2)They can get enough sunlight in day.
3)In a suitable temperature as it cannot be either too hot or too cold.
4)Clean environment with no pollution and fresh air for plant.
5)Amount of chlorophyll concentration on light capturing.

By:Tongchen edited by wilber

2010-08-17T01:08:00.000-07:00

Our modified photosynthesis experiment

Open publication - Free publishing - More temperaure

Graphs:

comment, thnks

glenn&rena

Fun Facts!

2010-08-16T04:59:00.001-07:00

A notch in a tree will remain the same distance from the ground as the tree grows.
Banana oil is made from petroleum.
84% of a raw apple and 96% of a raw cucumber is water.
The largest single flower is the Rafflesia or “corpse flower”. They are generally 0.9144 metres in diameter with the record being 42 inches.
Onions contain a mild antibiotic that fights infections, soothes burns, tames bee stings and relieves the itch of athletes foot.
Quinine, one of the most important drugs known to man, is obtained from the dried bark of an evergreen tree native to South America.
The rose family of plants, in addition to flowers, gives us apples, pears, plums, cherries, almonds, peaches and apricots.
No species of wild plant produces a flower or blossom that is absolutely black, and so far, none has been developed artificially.
Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.
The bright orange color of carrots tell you they are an excellent source of Vitamin A which is important for good eyesight, especially at night. Vitamin A helps your body fight infection, and keeps your skin and hair healthy.
A plant’s stem appears and grows upward shortly after the primary root appears. It continues to grow above ground level.
Water and minerals flow upward through the roots into the stem of the plant and then into the leaves of the plant.
Pistils have three parts – the stigma, the style, and the ovary.
Petals are usually colorful, and they attract insects and birds that help with pollination.
Fruit is really the part of a flower in which seeds grow. Cherries, apples, and even milkweed pods are fruit.
Buds are small swellings on a plant from which a shoot, leaf, or flower usually develops.
The primary root is the first thing to sprout from a seed, and it grows downward.
A seed contains its own food supply, which helps the sprouting plant as it begins its new life.
Roots are covered with root hairs that absorb water and minerals.
Grapes and clematis have stems that climb with tendrils, which hold onto a surface, as the stems get longer.
Posted by wilber

Results after friday 13 lab test

2010-08-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Results

.....Temperature ..... ..... Oxygen Content .....
Cold Water [-150c] ..... ..... ...7.94 mg/L
Warm Water [400c] ..... ..... ..6.98 mg/L
Mean Water [370c] ..... ..... ..8.18 mg/L

Our Point of View:

An optimum temperature ranging from 25oC to 35oC is a good temperature range for the highest rate for photosynthesis.

At temperatures around 0 degrees the enzymes stop working as they are inactive and at very high temperatures the enzymes are denatured. Since both the stages of photosynthesis require enzyme activity, the temperature has an effect on the rate of photosynthesis.

Thoughts:

I think that the range temperatures we measured could be more chosen with
more reason instead of randomly picked in a given range. I would have also liked to have made more measurements to find the optimum temperature of the plant.

Due to time constraint and everyone mistaking the pH sensor for the oxygen sensor, there was very little time left to conduct the experiment. Each set-up had a ‘photosynthesis’ time of only 3 minutes which is really short.

We using the oxygen sensor were more reliable than counting bubbles but there were still inaccuracies in the experiment.
Posted by wilber edited by glenn and?

How does temperature affect photosynthesis?

2010-08-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

The rate of photosynthesis in relation to temperature forms a bell curve. At low temperatures the enzymes responsible for photosynthesis have very little energy since they are made of proteins so the rate of photosynthesis is slow. If it is cold enough for water to freeze it can be very harmful for a plant, as the temperature increases, the enzymes get more energy so the rate of photosynthesis increases. If it gets too hot until 60 degree Celsius the enzymes begin to lose their shape (denature). this means they are unable to function properly and the rate of photosynthesis decreases again. Also at higher temperatures the stomata close to prevent water loss, this also stops gas exchange which slows down photosynthesis even further,if it is hot enough for water to boil this can be very harmful.

2010-08-10T03:05:00.000-07:00

tada! as promised in our FACTBUST section we will tag an interesting clip on ...

DOES TALKING/PLAYING MUSIC TO A PLANT AFFECT ITS GROWTH ?

so now ..

MYTHBUSTERS rock!

2010-08-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

Our Photosynthesis Experiment

Aim:

Whether the temperature of the water affects photosynthesis in plants.

Hypothesis:

The plants which absorbs the cold water will have the highest rate of photosynthesis

Approach:

There will be 5 set-ups, including the main control. Each set-ups will have different temperature: Hot(70 Degrees), Cold(5 Degrees), Warm(40 Degrees), Cool(15 degrees), and room temperature(Main control). The calculation of rate of the photosynthesis is by counting the number of bubbles in the set-ups produced by the plants.

Apparatus:

5 Boiling Test tubes, 5 beakers(Able to put the whole flask inside), 5 Funnels(Smaller then beaker), 5 Laboratory Thermometers

Materials:

5 Hydrilla, Tape water, Ice cubes. Boiling Water.

Variable:

Remains constant-Tye of Plant, amount of water, environment, amount of sunlight

Dependent variable- Temperature of water

Procedure:

Your main control set-up should look something like this

Step 1: In the first set-up, boil water and let it cool till the temperature drops to 70 degrees. Pour it into a beaker. The temperature should be 70 degrees. Label the set-up "A"

Step 2: in the next set-up, poured the boiled water and let it cool in the beaker till the temperature is 50 degrees. Label the set-up "B"

Step 3:In the third set-up, put some ice into the beaker of tape water, then measure the temperature. The temperature should be 15 degrees. mark the beaker as beaker "C"

Step 4:In the fourth set-up, repeat the step as stated in step 4. The temperature should be 5 degrees. Mark the beaker as beaker "D"

Step 5:Next, pour tap water into the beaker. Label the beaker "E". This will be the main control set-up

Step 6: Next put a Hydrillas into every funnel

Step 7: Turn the funnel upside down, be careful not to drop the Hydrilla out of the funnel, and slowly deep it into a beaker of water

Step 8:Repeat step 7 for all the hydrilla

Step 9:In 15 minutes, count the number of bubbles coming out of the hydrilla

Step 10:Record the results in a table

Step 11:Draw Conclusion

2010-08-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

What is the best condition for photosynthesis in the science lab?

Our Photosynthesis Experiment!
Whether temperature of water affects the rate of photosynthesis in the plants.

Example of our experiment (It is not pond water, but tape water)

Firstly there will be 3 sample. Each sample will have different temperatures of water. There will be: a warm water sample, cold water sample and a room temperature water sample.

Rates of photosynthesis are affected by many ways!
The rate of photosynthesis is affected by a number of factors including light levels, temperature, amount of water, amount of nutrients. If the condition that the plants needs are improved, the rate of photosynthesis should also increase.

Temperature
Take it for example if we were to increase the temperature from 10 degrees to 20 degrees. Will the rate of photosynthesis increase in double too? Yes! This is so as the enzymes in the plants will be closer to their optimum working temperature. Ad temperature increases, the molecules in the cells will be moving at a faster rate due to kinetic energy theory. However, if the temperature were to increase to a certain level, the rate of photosynthesis will drop as the plant's enzymes are denatured. Therefore, they are more likely to join onto the enzymes and react. But will there by any difference if we were to let the temperature in the environment remain the same, but the temperature of water that the plant absorbs change? That is for us to find out!

What can photosynthesis affect?
Many would know hat light plays a very vital role for photosynthesis in plants. But do you know that plants sensitivity to light plays a role in the control of plant structural development(Morphogenesis). The use of light to control structural development is called photomorphogenesis, and it is dependent on the presence of specialized photoreceptor, which are the chemical pigments capable of absorbing specific wavelengths of light.

Plants use 4 kinds of photoreceptor:
-Phytochrome
-Cryptochrome
-A UV-B photoreceptor
-Protochlorophyllide a

Phytochrome and Cytochrome
They are photoreceptor proteins which are complex molecules structures formed by joining a protein with a light-sensitive pigment.
Cytochrome is also known as the UV-A photoreceptor, because it absorbs ultraviolet light in the long wave "A" region.

UV-B photoreceptor
It is one or more compounds that have yet to be identified with certainty.

Protochlorophyllide a
As its name suggested, it is a chemical precursor of chlorophyll

Wavelengths

White light is separation into the different colours(=wavelengths) of light by passing it through a prism. Wavelength is define as the distance as the distance from peak to peak(Or trough to trough). The energy of it inversely proportional to the wavelength. Thus, the longer the wavelength, the the lesser energy.

Wavelengths and other aspects of the wave nature of lights

The orders of the colours is determined by the wavelength of light. Visible light is one small part of the electromagnet spectrum. The longer the wavelength of visible light, the more red the colour. Likewise, the shorter the wavelengths are towards the vilet side of the spectrum. Wavelengths which are longer then red are referred to as infrared, while those shorter then violet are ultraviolet.

2010-08-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

hello homosapiens.
here are some must know facts:

Photosynthesis

If photosynthesis has taken place, then glucose must first be formed from carbon dioxide.

When glucose is formed more quickly than it is used up, the excess glucose is change to sucrose before converting into starch before being transferred to stem,root,flower and etc for storage.

Starch formation is not photosynthesis but it is the work of subcellular compartmentation.
http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/content/vol54/issue382/images/large/erg074f1.jpeg for more info

Okay. so here's a few question we asked ourselves during the practical last Friday .

Practical on Friday

Why did the leaf keep floating ?!
What is the purpose of boiling the leaf why not just burn it or something ?

Why alcohol not other liquid substances?

Our views:

The leaf kept floating as some plants open their stomata at high temperatures. When the leaf was boiled the in water, it stomata opened and the gases in it was released out. That was why a lot of small bubbles was formed on the underside of the leaves. Another reason would simply be that the leaf was less dense compared to the water due to the amount of air inside the leaf,air is less dense then water.
It was to denature the enzymes present in the leaves so the stored starch will not be broken down. If the starch is broken down into glucose, the glucose is to minuscule in size for the iodine solution to 'detect' since it only checks for presence of starch molecule.
Solutions like methanol(wood alcohol),Ethanol(denatured alcohol),Propanol and Butanol(both are fuel like alcohol) but mostly widely used alcohol are methanol and ethanol are used to break cell membranes,allowing chlorophyll to be released into the water. Chlorophyll dissolves easily in ethanol/methanol. After the decolourization,checking for starch presence is easy. This is also why the water in the test tube turns green.
warning: this might make your head go > boom. so take your time to digest.

and lastly, remember to attempt the questions for the experiment we did. see you guys tomorrow. glenn and edited by wilber

2010-07-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

What can we learn ?'

That plants require a specific temperature range for growth as the video shows Charlie
being 'depressed' and wilting due to the seasonal change to winter.During winter in
either hemisphere, the lower altitude of the Sun in winter causes the sunlight to hit
that hemisphere at an oblique angle.Light have to travel a longer distance over the atmosphere.Thus,plants receive less sunlight in winter.
Seeds don't make their own food! So where do they get it? At first the seed gets its food from the cotyledons which are the store house of many nutrients from what I understand. It uses these to grow the first leaves and from there on it makes its own food by photosynthesizing.
OR
A seedling gets food from stored areas of adults plants like roots, stems and leaves. This "food packet" is called an endosperm in flowering plants. However some plants, such as some orchid seeds are so small that they include no endosperm This is different in gymnosperms, but the overall principle is the same, the parent plant provides the seed with nutrition so yay.

FactBUST > Do plants really have feelings ? Check out our blog soon to find out!!!

glenn

RE: The science inquest's comment

2010-07-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

Reason:
You could even use gene doping to inject epithelial tissues in skin with a viral chloroplast gene, they can already do it with mitochondria in muscle tissue, which is awesome, so why not do it and become independent beings that photosynthesize without consuming food.

Carbon dioxide in the blood stream would be converted into sugars and oxygen in the skin cells, sugars and oxygen would be used in body tissues for respiration, producing carbon dioxide.

-------------------------------
1. Normal cells Metabolize Sugar and Oxygen to produce energy, and Carbon Dioxide.

C6H12O6 + 6O<2> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (ATP)

(sugar + oxygen ---> Carbon Dioxide + Water + ENERGY)

-------------------------------

2. Chloroplasts in plants produce Sugar and Oxygen, using Carbon Dioxide and water (in the presence of sunlight)

6CO2 + 12H2O + sunlight -> C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2

(carbon dioxide + water + sunlight----> Sugar + water + Oxygen.

--------------------------------

3. The Equations sort of cancel out,(depending on the number of respiring cells Vs number of photosynthesizing cells) the person would have very minimal food requirements. Possibly limited oxygen requirements (great for diving).

6CO2 + 12H2O + sunlight ----> C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2 -----> 6CO2 + 12H2O + energy (ATP)

Which essentially balances, Humans could become solar powered

Read more: http://forums.myspace.com/t/4288997.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread#ixzz0v4oyMzh5

Evidence: http://forums.myspace.com/t/4288997.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread#ixzz0v4nsElUG

Photo with the piration

2010-07-27T01:08:00.000-07:00

THEORIES

wilber: photosynthesis & respiration are both a continuous process on the world,due to the earth revolving around the sun.

tongchen: photosynthesis & respiration are both continuous processes

shuqi: respiration is dependent on photosynthesis

glenn: no respiration = no photosynthesis

rena: respiration helps in photosynthesis

FINAL group theory: Respiration & Photosynthesis are dependent on each other,without
one of the process there would not be another,ceasing the balance.

Questions!

1. Why study photosynthesis?

rep: So that we can understand it and and possibly use its function in the next generation if plants ever extinct.To shed light on 'use its function in the next generation' it means manipulate it and injecting our embryo with chlorophyll changing DNA and changing its DNA while it is growing would not cause too much side effects.So that we can also know its importance, significance in lowering global warming and not waste tons of paper and cut tons of forest and the role it plays in our everyday life for our survival as humankind. Lastly,but inevitably, to pass our biology/chemistry exams o.o

2. What is the importance of photosynthesis?

rep: Without this important process, the levels of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases would increase and we would eventually run out of oxygen and die out. Also, if plants ever photosynthesize, how would they attain food?

3. How will photosynthesis affect us?

rep: As mentioned,without photosynthesis,carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases would rapidly increase,we would soon run out of oxygen.Without oxygen we cannot function as oxygen is used to create energy.We would be frozen stiff and fall to the ground and stop moving and in the end die.If plants also didn't photosynthesize to get food, then all green plants would die. And we wouldn't have to eat our green veggies ever again!

Do comment on our theories/ans or whatever.If you disagree,comments down below,link it and post constructive criticism.Don't troll,flame and hate.

Wilber and Glenn.

Hello all !

2010-07-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

hahax, finally finished decorating this blog~ sleepy~ but nevermind, let's cheer for our new blog!hahahahahhahx^-^

Tongchen

1st

2010-07-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

first post.
glenn