Oxygen during photosynthesis comes from water was proved by O18 experi...
O18 Experiment to Prove Oxygen from Water in Photosynthesis
Introduction:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Oxygen is one of the byproducts of this process. However, it was not clear where the oxygen in photosynthesis came from.
Ruben and Kamen Experiment:
In 1941, Samuel Ruben and Martin Kamen performed an experiment that involved labeling the oxygen in carbon dioxide with a radioactive isotope of oxygen, O18. They exposed a sample of algae to carbon dioxide containing O18 and then measured the oxygen produced by the algae.
Observation:
They observed that the oxygen released by the algae was also labeled with O18, which meant that the oxygen in photosynthesis came from the water molecules, not from the carbon dioxide.
Conclusion:
This experiment provided strong evidence that the oxygen in photosynthesis comes from water. The process by which water molecules are split into oxygen and hydrogen during photosynthesis is known as photolysis.
Significance:
This experiment was significant in helping scientists understand the process of photosynthesis and the role of water in this process. It also provided a better understanding of the oxygen cycle and the importance of photosynthesis in the ecosystem.
Oxygen during photosynthesis comes from water was proved by O18 experi...
Oxygen is released during photosynthesis by the process of photolysis in which the water is broken down into proton, electron and oxygen in the presence of sunlight. The atmospheric oxygen contains the oxygen atoms which are O16. Ruben conducted an experiment by labelling the oxygen of water with O18. The oxygen evolved during photolysis contained O18. He also prepared a source of carbon dioxide that was enriched in O18. The oxygen evolved was not comprised of labelled O18 isotope. So, it was proved that oxygen evolved was from water molecules not carbon dioxide.
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