What was the purpose of shaking the flasks containing leaf discs?

Shaking the flasks containing leaf discs serves the purpose of allowing all surfaces to contact water. This is important because in many experimental setups involving leaf discs, such as those investigating photosynthesis, it is critical that the discs are completely submerged in the water or solution to ensure that gas exchange can occur effectively. Shaking helps to displace air trapped in the leaf discs, allowing them to sink and become fully immersed. This immersion is essential to create a uniform environment where the leaf discs can perform photosynthesis, and as a result, measurements can be more accurately taken regarding oxygen production, which is a common focus in such experiments. By facilitating complete contact with the water, shaking enhances the experimental conditions that contribute to valid and reliable results.