Bioenergetics in Action

Submitted to:

Engr. Gerry Lou Quiles, RChe

Submitted by:

Bicas Dexter

Cafino Jefferson

Dela Peña Edison

Dela Torre
 I. Introduction

Bioenergetics is the study of how energy flows inside the cell. Because of this flow of energy,

organisms can survive by performing the life functions that it performs. Photosynthesis is a process of

utilizing light energy to produce complex sugars from simple substances such as carbon dioxide and

water. On the other hand, cellular respiration is a process of producing energy by converting complex

sugars into carbon dioxide and water with a release of energy needed to sustain life.

In this laboratory activity, photosynthesis and cellular respiration will be performed by

demonstrating it using Elodea plants and yeast fermentation.

II. Objectives

1.) To demonstrate the presence of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.

2.) To demonstrate fermentation in yeasts.

III. Materials Used

1. test tubes (6)

2. bromothymol blue solution

3. test tube rack

4. honey

5. dropper

6. bendable straw

7. yeast solution

8. Elodea/Hydrilla
9. sugar

10. distilled water

11. flood light (flashlight)

12. balloons (small, 3 pieces)

13. stopper/cork

IV. Procedure

A. Photosynthesis in Elodea Plants

1.) Label 3 test tubes A, B, C respectively

2.) Fill the three test tubes with distilled water (until half) to remove dissolved air

3.) Add twenty drops of bromothymol blue solution into each tube so that a dilute but detectable

amount of the indicator is present.

4.) Bubble your breath using the bendable straw into tubes A and B until there is a color change.

testtube C will remain as your control. ​CAUTION; Be careful not to swallow any bromothymol

or splash it into your face. It is toxic if swallowed.

5.) Put three (3) twigs, 6cm long, of ​Elodea or Hydrilla​ in test tube A. Place a Stopper in each tube.

6.) Put all the three test tubes under a floodlight (or expose all the tubes under light) for 45 minutes.

7.) Then, for two hours, leave the test tubes open. Observe what happens to the test tubes

B. Fermentation in Yeasts

1. Label 3 test tubes A, B, and C respectively and fill with fermenting yeast solution.

2. Put the test tube in a test tube rack.

 3. Add one teaspoon of sugar to test tube A and one teaspoon of honey to test tube B. Do not add

anything to test tube C, because this will serve as your control.

4. Cover the brim of each test tube with the balloon, just right to fit it.

5. Observe what happens after 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes by taking pictures of each

set-up.

V. Data and Results

Job 1: Photosynthesis

Observation Tube A Tube B Tube C

Color at the start of Experimen Yellow Yellow Green

Color at the end of Experiment Yellowish Green Yellow Green

Was there a color change Yes No No

Job 2: Fermentation

Observed Changes in At the start 5 minutes

Test tube A The color was pale white because of The color was still pale white but it
the yeast and there are particles that became lighter compared to what it
are undissolved in the bottom of the was in the beginning. There are a few
test tube. The balloon that capped the particles of yeast resting on top of the
 test tube was deflated sugar particles. The balloon is still
deflated.

Test tube B The color is also pale, but the honey The color was pale white but it
was distinguishable and was at the became lighter and there are particles
bottom. The balloon was also deflated. of yeast that deposited above the
honey. There wasn’t a noticeable
change in the size of the balloon.

Test tube C The color was pale white. But unlike The color was lighter and some yeast
test tubes A and B, there were no particles were deposited at the bottom
sediments in the tube. The balloon of the tube. Still no changes regarding
didn’t inflate. the balloon.

Job 2: Fermentation

Observed Changes in 10 minutes 15 minutes

Test tube A The color was lighter than the
previous minute mark and the sugar
particles decreased slightly, while the
deposit of yeast increased. The
balloon was inflated slightly.
The color became light white and was
kind of transparent. The yeast deposit
didn’t increase much more, but the
sugar still decreased. The balloon’s
size slightly increased compared to the
10 minute mark.

Test tube B The color became lighter, the yeast
deposit increased. The honey didn’t
have noticeable changes. However the
balloon was inflated slightly.
The solution in the tube had 3 layers,
honey at the bottom, yeast in the
middle, and light white liquid on top.
The top liquid also hinted at a bit of
transparency.

Test tube C The color of the top part liquid The color became light white on the
became lighter while the yeast deposit top part, and the yeast was still on the
 on the bottom increased. The balloon bottom depositing. The balloon was
didn’t inflate. not inflating.

VI. Observations

VII. Analysis

1. What does the change in color in Job 1 indicate?

The first color change in Job 1 happened during the blowing of bubbles into the tubes. The color of

bromothymol turned to yellow from green when it reacted with CO​2 from the student’s breath. The

second color change indicates that photosynthesis occurred inside test tube A. More specifically the plant

inside the tube took in the CO​2 from bromothymol and used it for photosynthesis. The color of

bromothymol gradually turned into a yellowish green from yellow indicating the loss of CO​2​ molecules.

2. What is responsible for the change in Job 2?

VIII. Conclusion