Carbon Dioxide Uptake in Plants: A Computer-Aided Experimental System

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Author:

Christopher Paradise, Richard Cyr

Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

Pennsylvania State University

Collection:

Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE)

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

This exercise introduces students to concepts of photosynthesis at the whole organism level and to computer utilization in biology. Changes in carbon dioxide concentration are measured in environmental chambers using gas analyzers connected to computers. Carbon dioxide changes are graphed in real time as the plants take up CO2. Over a short time, sunflower seedlings show dramatic changes in CO2 uptake when light intensity is altered or color filters are used. Comparison of the resulting graphs will indicate treatment differences in the rate of carbon dioxide change. Modifying the basic experimental design allows this exercise to be used in a variety of courses.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs, Lesson Plans

Media Format:

Downloadable docs

Conditions of Use:

Custom Permissions
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Use solely at one's own institution with no intent for profit is excluded from the preceding copyright restriction, unless otherwise noted on the copyright notice of the individual chapter in this volume. Proper credit to this publication must be included in your laboratory outline for each use; a sample citation is given [on the copyright page of each volume]. Upon obtaining permission or with the "sole use at one's own institution" exclusion, ABLE strongly encourages individuals to use the exercises in this proceedings volume in their teaching program.