Ruben and Kamen were the scientists who discovered that oxygen evolved from water during photosynthesis. Their work was groundbreaking and provided crucial insights into the process of photosynthesis.

The Experiment:

Ruben and Kamen conducted their experiments in the early 1940s at the University of California, Berkeley. They used the green alga Chlorella, which is known to perform oxygenic photosynthesis, meaning it releases oxygen as a byproduct.

To trace the source of the oxygen released during photosynthesis, they used a heavy isotope of oxygen called O-18. They labeled the water molecules with O-18 and then supplied this labeled water to the algae.

The Findings:

Through their experiments, Ruben and Kamen were able to determine that the oxygen released during photosynthesis came from the water molecules. They observed that the oxygen released by the algae contained the O-18 isotope, confirming that it originated from the labeled water.

Implications:

Ruben and Kamen's discovery had significant implications for our understanding of photosynthesis. Prior to their work, it was believed that plants obtained oxygen from carbon dioxide. However, their experiments showed that oxygen is actually derived from water molecules.

This finding supported the theory proposed by Cornelis Van Neil, another renowned scientist in the field of photosynthesis. Van Neil had proposed the concept of photosynthetic water splitting, suggesting that water is the source of oxygen during photosynthesis.

Significance:

Ruben and Kamen's discovery not only clarified the origin of oxygen during photosynthesis but also provided a deeper understanding of the process itself. Their work laid the foundation for further research on the mechanism of photosynthesis and its role in the global carbon and oxygen cycles.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Ruben and Kamen were the scientists who found out that oxygen evolved from water in photosynthesis. Their experiments with labeled oxygen isotopes provided conclusive evidence that oxygen is derived from water molecules during the process of photosynthesis. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of photosynthesis and its importance in the biosphere.