Practical: Investigating Chlorophyll and Photosynthesis
Starch is stored in chloroplasts where photosynthesis occurs so testing a leaf for starch is a reliable indicator of which parts of the leaf are photosynthesising
This method can also be used to test whether chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis by using a variegated leaf (one that is partially green and partially white)
Apparatus
Beakers
Leaf tissue (leaves must be variegated)
Bunsen burner
Tripod
Gauze platform
Prongs
Ethanol
Apron
Safety goggles
Gloves
Iodine solution
White tile
Method
Drop the leaf in boiling water
This kills the tissue and breaks down the cell walls
Transfer the leaf into hot ethanol in a boiling tube for 5-10 minutes
This removes the chlorophyll so colour changes from iodine can be seen more clearly
Dip the leaf in boiling water
This is done to soften the leaf tissue after being in ethanol
Spread the leaf out on a white tile and cover it with iodine solution
Safety
Care must be taken when carrying out this practical as ethanol is extremely flammable, so at that stage of the experiment, the Bunsen burner should be turned off
The safest way to heat the ethanol is in an electric water bath rather than using a beaker over a Bunsen burner with an open flame
Results and analysis
The white areas of the leaf contain no chlorophyll and when the leaf is tested only the areas that contain chlorophyll stain blue-black
The areas that had no chlorophyll remain orange-brown as no photosynthesis is occurring here and so no starch is stored
Applying CORMS evaluation to practical work
When working with practical investigations, remember to consider your CORMS evaluation
CORMS evaluation
In this investigation, your evaluation should look something like this:
C - We are changing whether there is chlorophyll or no chlorophyll
O - The leaves will be taken from the same plant or same species, age and size of the plant
R - We will repeat the investigation several times to ensure our results are reliable
M1 - We will observe the colour change of the leaf when iodine is applied
M2 - ...after 1 day
S - We will control the temperature of the room and the light intensity