NSSCO · Biology Practical

CO₂ · Need for Photosynthesis

Aim

Does carbon dioxide need to be present for photosynthesis to make starch?

A destarched plant has three leaves enclosed in transparent bags, each with a different chemical: soda lime (absorbs CO₂), sodium bicarbonate (releases CO₂), or water (a control). After hours in light, the iodine starch test on each leaf will tell us which conditions allowed photosynthesis.