t e c h e r s、装饰学校（ t e a c h e r s- scienceand plantsfor schools）.docVIP

Investigating Photosynthesis and Respiration using Algal Balls Teaching Notes Introduction and context Photosynthesis, a chemical reaction, is dependent on several factors. These are known as rate limiting factors and most 14-16 students need to be able to identify/discuss these factors. In this protocol, the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda is immobilised in alginate beads. Changes in the colour of hydrogen carbonate indicator solution (also called bicarbonate indicator) can then be used to investigate the rate of photosynthesis under different environmental conditions. Like flowering plants, S. quadricauda cells contain the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a and b. This enables the green algae to photosynthesis and means that they are currently classified in the Plant Kingdom1 (along with angiosperms, conifers, ferns and mosses), although there is still debate amongst biologists on this. Scenedesmus are described as colonial, normally being found in colonies of 2 or 4 cells. The end cells of the colonies typically have 2 long spines protruding from the outer corners. Each cell is approximately 15μm long and contains a single, plate-like chloroplast. There are approximately 80 recognised species of Scenedesmus1. Scenedesmus species have recently been investigated for production of biodiesel and have shown to be promising in terms of high lipid and oleic acid content2. References 1. M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. Guiry, G.M. 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. , searched on 10 November 2012 (specific page: /search/genus/detail/?genus_id=43474) 2. Pandian Prabakaran and A. David Ravindran, Current Science, Vol. 102, NO. 4, 25 February 2012 online at: http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/102/04/0616.pdf Video For a video demo showing how to create the algal balls and how best to use this in the classroom, see our YouTube channel: /watch?v=fI3x68CkKW0 Overview This document will e