Form 5 Biology – Chapter 22 Photosynthesis – Engelmann’s Demonstration

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Engelmann demonstration on absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments in algae

(Modified from G. Drews, (2004) Contributions of Theodor Wilhelm Engelmann on phototaxis, chemotaxis, and photosynthesis, Photosynthesis Research, 83: 25- 34)

 Experiment to demonstrate that chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis (reference) by

T.W. Engelmann (in 1880)
• Demonstrated that oxygen was produced at chloroplast, worked out the action
spectrum of photosynthesis, and showed that red and blue light are most
effective for photosynthesis.
• He used a microscopic method to measure the accumulation of oxygen-
sensitive bacteria around the photosynthetic unicellular algae like Euglena,
Cladophora,
Spirogyra and Oedogonium, etc. These algae contain chloroplasts which can carry out photosynthesis to
produce oxygen. The more the oxygen produced, the higher the photosynthetic rate is. The amount of
oxygen produced can be measured by the thickness of oxygen-sensitive bacteria accumulated around the
algae, since the oxygen-sensitive bacteria has the tendency to move from the region of lower oxygen
concentration to that of higher concentration. By understanding the amount of bacteria accumulation
around a certain region of the algae, we can identify the specific region that produces larger amount of
oxygen. The thicker the bacteria accumulated in a certain area, the faster the photosynthetic rate is.
• Therefore this experiment was carried out by putting the algae sample on a slide with the presence of
oxygen- sensitive bacteria and observed under the microscope over a period of time. Light source was
provided by the light box with a slit. Light was allowed to pass through the slit only and acted as the
only light source for the algae sample. Different colors of light were prepared by putting a prism
between the light box and the sample to provide a spectrum of light through scattering. With the help
of all these experimental setup, he was able to conclude the information provided above.

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 In 1883, a German scientist, Engelmann, used a green alga to study the effect of light on
photosynthesis. This alga has long ribbon-like chloroplasts. He placed the alga on a slide with a
suspension of bacteria which would migrate to regions with high oxygen concentration. He observed
the distribution of the bacteria under different light conditions.
The results are shown in the diagram below:

(a) What does the accumulation of bacteria around the chloroplast in II and III indicate? (1 mark)
Photosynthesis occurs on the chloroplast in II and III, meaning theres a higher concentration of oxygen in red light
and blue light (The accumulation of bacteria refers to the large amount of oxygen produced in a specific region of
the alga.)

(b) Describe the distribution of bacteria in I and II. (2 marks)

The distribution of bacteria in I is random throughout the whole alga, the oxygen concentration of the whole area is
similar.
Bacteria accumulates on the chloroplast in II, which means there are more oxygen found on the chloroplast than the
surroundings.
( The bacteria distributed evenly in I but concentrated on the chloroplast in II)

(c) How would you account for the bacteria distribution in II? (2 marks)
Under white light, the chlorophyll in the chloroplast can undergo photosynthesis to produce oxygen, and since the
photosynthetic rate is similar for the whole chlorophyll, there is an even distribution of bacteria on the chloroplast.
(In the presence of light, the chloroplast produced oxygen during photosynthesis, this led to the movement of
bacteria towards the chloroplast)

(d) What did Engelmann wish to find out by setting up the experiment in III? (1 mark)

which color of light is most effective for increasing the photosynthetic rate (To study the effect of light
of different colours on the rate of photosynthesis)

(e) What conclusions can you draw from the results in III? (2 marks)
Red and blue light is most effective for increasing the photosynthetic rate. (Photosynthesis
occurs at similar rates in red and blue lights which are higher than that in green light.)

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(f) Draw a labelled diagram to show an experimental set- up used to test whether the conclusions in
(e) are correct or not. You are provided with a water weed, a table lamp, color filters and materials
that you can get in the laboratory. (3 marks)

(ii) What data would you collect with this set- up? (1 mark)

(g) One hypothesis to explain the observed bacterial distribution in II is that the bacteria are
simply attracted to the green light transmitted through the chloroplast but not to white light.
How does observation in III reject this hypothesis? (2 marks)

In II, there is a low concentration of bacteria in the green light spot, while there is a high concentration on the red
light and blue light spot, therefore the bacteria are not simply attracted to the green light.

(h) Based on your biological knowledge, explain the role played by chlorophyll in photosynthesis.
(2 marks)
Chlorophyll in chloroplasts absorb different colours of