Читать книгу Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis - Robert E. Blankenship - Страница 44

The final contribution to the overall equation of photosynthesis was made by Nicolas de Saussure (1767–1845), a Swiss scientist. He confirmed the observations of Ingenhousz and Senebier and added careful measurements of the relative amounts of carbon dioxide taken up and oxygen given off by plants. He proved by careful weighing experiments, published in 1804, that the increase in dry weight of the plant is considerably greater than the weight of carbon in the carbon dioxide taken up. He correctly surmised that the balance of the weight came from water, although he mistakenly thought that the assimilation of water was a process separate from the incorporation of carbon dioxide.