preview

Spinacia Oleracea Lab Report

Decent Essays

The organism studied in these experiments was the Spinacia oleracea that was obtained from a local grocery store in Lincoln Nebraska. One experiment that was conducted was used to determine the rate of oxygen production of Spinacia oleracea in the dark. Another experiment conducted was used to determine the effect of light intensity on the net photosynthetic rate of a Spinacia oleracea. The effect of light wavelength on the net photosynthetic rate of a Spinacia oleracea was also conducted and observed. The last experiment conducted was conducted to identify the pigments in Spinacia oleracea in order to determine its chloroplast chromatography.
Experimental Design and Protocol for Collecting Data
Rate of Oxygen Production by Spinacia oleracea …show more content…

In order to conduct this experiment a Spinacia oleracea was obtained, and measured using a plastic grid and a marker to outline the shape of the leaf. The squares of the grid were then counted to determine the total surface area of the leaf. The leaf was then placed vertically, and carefully, so that the underside of the Spinacia oleracea did not touch the walls of the micro-centrifuge tube when placed inside of it. Then the tube was filled ¾ full of water and 2ml full of the saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, using a plastic pipette. Then he micro-centrifuge tube was placed into the water bath that was filled with 20°C water. 2 cm of the tube was sticking out of the top of the water bath. Then the oxygen sensor was placed, and tightly sealed into the test tubes opening. Then the walls of the water bath were completely covered with aluminum foil. This was to insure no light could reach the leaf. The software used to record the data from the oxygen sensor after five minutes of equilibration time was Logger Pro. The initial and final ppm oxygen was then recorded in order to calculate the area standardized rate of oxygen

Get Access