Photosynthesis: How Is It Important to Medicine?

• Students use a leaf disk assay to measure the rate of photosynthesis and observe oxygen as a product. The scenario is set-up to have the students compare 3 different leaf types that are being considered for the plant to be used in the process of creating a new diabetes medication. Their research team is responsible for determining which plant’s leaves have the fastest rate of photosynthesis, and should, therefore, be used to create the medication. The background provides links to how the photosynthesis process can be used as a clean energy source to produce medications, and in photodynamic therapies to treat cancer and acne.

Items included in this lab are listed below.