Response:
The leaf discs only achieve buoyancy in a bicarbonate solution and under light conditions.
Clarification:
In water, bicarbonate dissociates to create a source of inorganic CO2 as shown in this reaction:
NaHCO3 + H2O → H2CO3 + OH- + Na+
The bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) then gets fixed through various intricate processes, which leads to the creation of carbohydrates or sugars. These capture the transformed solar energy within their chemical bonds as usable energy for metabolic processes.
Photosynthesis is a vital chemical reaction in plants and other primary producers for energy production. The process converts light or solar energy, water, and inorganic CO2 into glucose molecules, simultaneously releasing oxygen (produced from the light reactions). The accumulation of O2 gas makes the leaf discs float.
6CO2 + 6H20 + (energy) → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Carbon dioxide + water + energy = glucose + oxygen
