An Experiment Showing The Limiting Factors Of Photosynthesis.

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This experiment is going to show how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in Canadian Pond Weed, Elodea. Elodea has long been used in experiments to estimate the rate of photosynthesis. The first example was by Reinke in 1883. He counted the bubbles given off by Elodea in spring water with a little added carbon dioxide when it was exposed to lights of different intensities. Elodea is a green plant. It makes glucose from carbon dioxide and water, using light as energy. Elodea can only photosynthesise when light shines on it. Elodea produces oxygen during photosynthesis when light shines on the plant.

Glucose, made in photosynthesis, is a source of energy for Elodea. It is used for the growth and repair of plant cells. Energy is transferred from glucose to the cells during aerobic respiration. Elodea respires at a steady rate all of the time; Elodea makes oxygen during aerobic respiration.

Planning Experimental Procedure:

Plants need certain amounts of Carbon Dioxide, light and an optimum temperature to produce glucose. I am going to attempt to find out how the rate of photosynthesis differs at dissimilar light intensities.

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Factors affecting photosynthesis in Elodea:

  • Light intensity, as it increases, so does the rate of photosynthesis until no more increase happens, whatever the light intensity
  • Carbon dioxide concentration, as the amount of carbon dioxide increases, so does the rate of photosynthesis
  • Temperature, enzymes control the process, so up to an optimum temperature, the rate of photosynthesis will increase
  • Water, photosynthesis cannot occur in the absence of water

Key Variables:

  • The amount of CO2 present in the water at the time of testing

  • The intensity of the light on the plant

  • The length of the ...

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