How do you make algae balls?

Stir 3% Calcium Chloride Solution well to re-suspend any particles, and fill the empty beaker. Set stir-plate to low. Open the stopcock on the separatory funnel gradually to slowly drop the algae mixture into the Calcium Chloride mixture. Algae will form beads as it lands in the Calcium Chloride solution.

Do algae beads grow?

If beginning with a non-concentrated culture, allow it to grow for 3 to 4 weeks under constant lighting to achieve desired population density. It should appear dark green prior to use. The algae beads can be stored in the distilled water and refrigerated for approximately 2 weeks.

How do algal balls photosynthesis?

When exposed to light, the encapsulated algae absorb CO2 as photosynthesis takes place. As a result of the lowered CO2 levels, the pH of the solution rises, causing the colour of the Hydrogen Carbonate Indicator solution to begin turning purple.

Why do you wash algal balls?

The algae are tiny and are difficult to work with directly in the water so the first part of the practical involves ‘immobilising’ the algae. This effectively traps large numbers of algal cells in ‘jelly like’ balls so that we can keep them in one place and not lose them.

How do you make alginate balls?

Instructions

1. In a blender, add 2 g of sodium alginate for every 100 mL of deionized or distilled water.
2. Mix the contents using a hand blender for about 15 minutes or until all of the sodium alginate has been dissolved.
3. Partition the 2% sodium alginate solution according to the amount of different food colors available.

What is meant by algal?

: a plant or plantlike organism of any of several phyla, divisions, or classes of chiefly aquatic usually chlorophyll-containing nonvascular organisms of polyphyletic origin that usually include the green, yellow-green, brown, and red algae in the eukaryotes and especially formerly the cyanobacteria in the prokaryotes.

How do you keep algae beads alive?

Store on a surface out of direct sunlight, but some light is good. Refrigeration is not recommended- they are alive!!! Keep the beads at room temperature, in light bright enough to read by, and the cap slightly open to facilitate gas exchange.

What would happen if you put algae beads in the carbon dioxide indicator?

Why? The CO2 indicator will turn more alkaline under light conditions b/c the algae beads photosynthesize faster than they respire, resulting in a decrease of CO2, which increases the pH of the CO2 indicator. The rate of color change will be faster in the light than in the dark.

How do you get rid of algae balls?

Rinse the solution down the drain until you can no longer detect a bleach odour. Be aware Macroalgae should not be flushed down the sink as it can clog drains. When disposing of Macroalgae, place in sealable bags and freeze for 24 hours; then they may be disposed of in regular solid waste.

How do you test algae growth?

You can place bottles in different amounts of sun to determine how much sunlight is ideal for algae growth. Instead of testing algae, try using duckweed, a small green plant. Duckweed is ideal to test because you can actually count the number of plants that grow under your various conditions.

What happens when you mix sodium alginate with calcium chloride?

When you added calcium chloride, the calcium ions in the solution cross- linked the polymers in the alginate, attaching them to each other at many points. This cross-linking created a flexible, soft solid – a gel bead. There are many common gels made from algae that are used in foods, medicine, and other applications.

Can I make sodium alginate?

In a blender, add 2 g of sodium alginate for every 100 mL of deionized or distilled water. Mix the contents using a hand blender for about 15 minutes or until all of the sodium alginate has been dissolved. Avoid blending too long or you will get a foamy solution.

How are algal balls used in photosynthesis experiments?

This effectively traps large numbers of algal cells in ‘jelly like’ balls made of sodium alginate. Sodium alginate is not harmful to the algae, and they will continue to photosynthesise once immobilised. When these algae are ‘wrapped up’ in the jelly balls they are excellent to use in experiments on photosynthesis.

How to make algal balls from alginate and algae?

Pour your algae and alginate mixture into the syringe. The mixture will drip slowly into the beaker of calcium chloride. 8. When all the mixture has all dripped through, leave the algal balls in the beaker of calcium chloride for 3-5 minutes. They will become solid. 9. Tip the algal balls into a tea strainer and rinse with distilled water. 10.

What do students need to know about algal balls?

Therefore, Students need to watch the provided short videos in each concept and answer the related questions before coming to the lab in order to be ready to do the experiments in the lab. Students will understand the process of photosynthesis in plant and algae and different environmental factors that would affect the rate of photosynthesis.

Why are algal cells wrapped in jelly balls?

This effectively traps large numbers of algal cells in ˘jelly like ˇ balls so that we can keep them in one place and not lose them. We use sodium alginate to help make the jelly. Sodium alginate is not harmful to the algae. When these algae are ˘wrapped up ˇ in the jelly balls they are excellent to use in experiments on photosynthesis.