Measurement of Photosynthetic Activity in Plant Cell Fractions

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1995, Volume 16

Abstract

Fractions of plant cells prepared by homogenization and differential centrifugation exhibit enzymatic activity. In fractions containing chloroplasts, light causes evolution of oxygen and generation of high-energy electrons that are passed along the electron transport chain of the thylakoid membrane. The results of an assay for the reduction of DCPIP, an artificial electron acceptor, in these fractions can illustrate the photosynthetic activity that takes place within the living cell, and can indicate how successful the fractionation procedure has been in separating organelles.

Keywords:  photosynthesis, cell fractionation, pea, DCPIP

Emory University (1994)