Identify the purpose of each of the following steps in the photosynthesis experiment. a. Hole-punching the leaves
b. Adding bicarbonate buffer to the syringe.
c. Exposing the disks to a vacuum in the syringe
d. Adding a plain buffer to the syringe

A. Hole-punching the leaves- The purpose of hole punching the leaves is to make discs out of the leaves which are able to fit in into the syringe used in the experiment and which are also able to float

B. Adding bicarbonate buffer- Bicarbonate buffer is added as a source of carbon to leaves undergoing photosynthesis.

C. Exposing the disc to vacuum in the syringe - the leaves are exposed to vacuum in the syringe in order to remove or displace trapped air in the leaves so that the bicarbonate buffer can enter the interior of the leaves and the disc will then sink to the bottom of the syringe.

D. Adding a plain buffer- the plain buffer serves as the control experiment as it does not provide a carbon source for the discs in the experiment.

Explanation:

The floating disc experiment is used to demonstrate the process of photosynthesis in leaves. In the experment, the following procedures are followed:

A. Hole-punching the leaves- The purpose of hole punching the leaves is to make discs out of the leaves which are able to fit in into the syringe used in the experiment and which are also able to float

B. Adding bicarbonate buffer- Bicarbonate buffer is added as a source of carbon to leaves undergoing photosynthesis.

C. Exposing the disc to vacuum in the syringe - the leaves are exposed to vacuum in the syringe in order to remove or displace trapped air in the leaves so that the bicarbonate buffer can enter the interior of the leaves and the disc will then sink to the bottom of the syringe.

D. Adding a plain buffer- the plain buffer serves as the control experiment as it does not provide a carbon source for the discs in the experiment.

In the results of the experiment, the discs in the bicarbonate buffer will float as oxygen is produced during photosynthesis. However, the discs in the control remain at the bottom of the syringe as photosynthesis do not occur in the absence of a carbon source.

1. the energy lost to disorder metabolism     -entropy

2. related to or possessing motion potential     -kinetic

3. all of the chemical reactions in an organism required for maintenance of the processes of life entropy     -metabolism

4. possible; ability to go into action or perform work kinetic     -potential

5. the study of energy and its transformations thermodynamics     -thermodynamics