You are a marine biologist sampling an offshore ecosystem. One day, you find a red organism floating in one of your nets. It has structures that resemble the leaves and stems of a plant. You hypothesize that this organism might be photosynthetic. Describe how you could test this hypothesis using a pH indicator solution. a. In detail, describe the steps you would take and the reactants of photosynthesis required. b. What change in pH would indicate that the organism was undergoing photosynthesis, and how would the indicator respond?
You are a marine biologist sampling an offshore ecosystem. One day, you find a red organism floating in one of your nets. It has structures that resemble the leaves and stems of a plant. You hypothesize that this organism might be photosynthetic. Describe how you could test this hypothesis using a pH indicator solution.
a. In detail, describe the steps you would take and the reactants of photosynthesis required.
b. What change in pH would indicate that the organism was undergoing photosynthesis, and how would the indicator respond?
The sample found must be of a Red Algae or Rhodophyta.
Photosynthesis is a process where solar energy is converted to chemical energy and carbon-di-oxide and water molecules are converted into organic molecules. Almost all algae undergo photosynthesis.
Red Algae get their red color from a pigment called phycoerythrin. Phycoerythrin reflects red light and absorbs blue light, thus allowing photosynthesis. Since blue light has a shorter wavelength , it can penetrate deeper in the ocean. Therefore, they are usually found at greater depths than other algae.
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