Light and Elodea Leaf Cells essays

Light and Elodea Leaf Cells essays Abstract The purpose of this investigation is to determine if a decrease in light affect the time of cyclosis. Elodea leaf cells were subjected to 6 different intensities of light. The time it took one cytoplasm to move around a certain distance was measured after each change in the amount of light. It took 23s when the light intensity was on 5, the same time it took for the cytoplasm to move the same distance when light intensity was on 8. Leaving the conclusion that might be no connection between light and time of cyclosis. Cyclosis is the circulation of cytoplasm within a cell and this movement may be increased by light. (Columbia Encyclopedia) As the cytoplasm moves around the large central vacuole, it carries with it dissolved substances as suspended organelles. (Bedford 9) Chloroplasts are organelles responsible for photosynthesis in the plant. Examples of cells in which cyclosis can be seen are the leaf cells of small aquatic plants, such as Elodea leaf. By timing the movement of a single chloroplast in a certain given distance with different intensities of light it is possible to test if light has an effect in cyclosis. Does a decrease in light affect the time of cyclosis? It might affect if the time (speed) of the chloroplast creates a pattern as the light intensity differs. Or it might not affect whatsoever if the time finds no connection with the different amount of light given. So to find out if light interferes in cyclosis one chloroplast is going to be observed and timed as it moves around within the cell. A drop of water was placed in the center of a clean microscope slide. To the drop was added a torn piece of an Elodea leaf. The wet mount was first observed under low power and then under high power. So that the lab could be done easier a group of 4 people was formed. One person was responsible for observing the Elodea leaf in th ...