Question

The figure given below represents an experimental setup to study a physiological process in plants.

1. Name the physiological process being studied.
2. Explain the process.
3. What is the aim of the experiment?
4. Give a well-balanced equation to represent the process.

Answer 1

Experimental setup:

1. In the given experimental setup, an aquatic plant like Hydrilla is placed in a beaker containing pond water.
2. The plant was then covered with a funnel with a short stem.
3. Funnel's stem was then covered with the inverted test tube full of water.
4. It was ensured that the water level in the beaker is higher than the stem of the funnel while placing the test tube.
5. Then the setup was exposed to sunlight.
6. After a few hours, it was observed that gas bubbles emerged and were collected in the inverted test tube.
7. When the gas above the water was tested it was found that the oxygen gas was there.
8. It proved that oxygen is released as a byproduct of the photosynthesis mechanism.

1. Physiological process studied through given experiment:

1. In the given experiment, the process of photosynthesis is studied.
2. Photosynthesis is the strategy by which plants produce oxygen and energy in the form of sugar by combining sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

2. Process of photosynthesis:

1. The photosynthetic process combines carbon dioxide and water to make glucose (sugar), using the sun's energy.
2. Carbon dioxide diffuses into plants through microscopic pores in the underside of leaves, whereas water is normally absorbed by roots.
3. The chemical reaction that integrates carbon dioxide molecules with water molecules to generate glucose and releases oxygen as a waste product is fueled by the sun's energy.
4. The solar energy is captured by the green chemical chlorophyll. Plants can store glucose in their fruits, roots, and stems.

3. Aim of the experiment:

1. The objective of the given experiment is to show that oxygen is released during the process of photosynthesis.

4. Equation of photosynthesis reaction:

$$\begin{gathered} 6{\mathrm{CO}}_2+6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\stackrel{\mathrm{Sunlight}}{\to }{\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_6+6{\mathrm{O}}_2 \\ \mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Water}\mathrm{Glucose}\mathrm{Oxygen} \\ \mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$