The diagram given below represents an experiment to demonstrate a particular aspect of photosynthesis. The letter ‘A’ indicates a certain condition inside the flask. Answer the questions: The diagram given below represents an experiment to demonstrate a particular aspect of photosynthesis. The letter ‘A’ indicates a certain condition inside the flask. Answer the questions:
What is the aim of the experiment?
Topic: Aim of the KOH experiment
Try it
Pick an option and check your answer. The full worked answer is below either way.
Answer
(d) To show that carbon dioxide is necessary for Photosynthesis..
The apparatus identifies the aim. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (KOH) is a strong alkali that ABSORBS CARBON DIOXIDE, so the leaf enclosed in the flask is deprived of it while everything else — light, water, chlorophyll — stays the same.
Since only ONE factor has been removed, whatever difference appears must be due to that factor. So the experiment tests CARBON DIOXIDE.
THE METHOD for every photosynthesis experiment: find the one thing that has been taken away, and that is what is being tested. KOH in a flask — removes CARBON DIOXIDE a VARIEGATED leaf — removes CHLOROPHYLL from part of it black paper over part of a leaf — removes LIGHT Hydrilla under water with a funnel — collects the OXYGEN released
Option (b) is nonsense — KOH is not a requirement but the thing creating the deficiency.
To show that carbon dioxide is necessary for Photosynthesis..