The Introduction to this lab report should include a brief background on photosynthesis and how the light dependent and light independent processes are interconnected.

The Introduction to this lab report should include a brief background on photosynthesis and how the light dependent and light independent processes are interconnected. Identify the key photosynthetic and accessory pigments found in the spinach leaf and what their role is in the photosynthetic process. For activity 1, describe how paper chromatography was applied to separate pigments and how the interaction of the stationary and mobile phase with the individual pigments affects the retention factor (Rf) for each of them. State a hypothesis and prediction based on the application of this analytical method. For activity 2, how was the rate of photosynthesis in spinach disks measured? What were the two experimental variables evaluated in the spinach disk assay? State hypotheses and predictions for activity 2, based on what you are measuring and the experimental condition variables being tested.

Import Figure 1 from your excel file into your Results section and briefly describe trends in your spinach disk assay data (without interpreting your data). Include the rate values you obtained from the trendlines you added to your line plot summaries for each experimental condition. Include the Rf values obtained for the four pigments separated in the paper chromatography activity for this photosynthesis investigation.

In your Discussion section state whether your hypotheses and predictions were supported by the experimental results and what may have affected the experimental outcomes. For activity 1, explicitly state what factors affected the Rf values of each photosynthetic pigment. For activity 2, what effect did each experimental condition have on the rate of photosynthesis (ie. light and bicarbonate concentration conditions)? Present specific evidence (by referring to your results) in your discussion to support any conclusions.

Refer to the mini-lab report write up guide for write up format.

This report should be 1200 – 1600 words.