Question

identify the purpose of each of the following steps in the photosynthesis experiment. hole - punching the leaves choose provide a source of water and carbon dioxide add oxygen into the leaves to expose the chloroplasts to light provide a source of water only (no carbon dioxide) remove oxygen from the leaves to make them sink standardize the surface area of the leaves remove carbon dioxide from the leaves to make them sink adding bicarbonate buffer to the syringe. exposing the disks to a vacuum in the syringe adding a plain buffer to the syringe choose

Explanation:

• Hole - punching the leaves: Standardizes the surface area of the leaves for consistent experimental results in photosynthesis studies.
• Adding bicarbonate buffer to the syringe: Bicarbonate dissociates to provide a source of carbon dioxide which is a key reactant in photosynthesis.
• Exposing the disks to a vacuum in the syringe: Removes oxygen from the leaves to make them sink, allowing for better observation of the photosynthetic process as oxygen production will cause them to float again.
• Adding a plain buffer to the syringe: Can act as a control to compare with the bicarbonate - containing solution, helping to determine if the effects are due to carbon dioxide availability for photosynthesis.

Answer:

• Hole - punching the leaves: standardize the surface area of the leaves
• Adding bicarbonate buffer to the syringe: provide a source of water and carbon dioxide
• Exposing the disks to a vacuum in the syringe: remove oxygen from the leaves to make them sink
• Adding a plain buffer to the syringe: act as a control for comparison