Investigate how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Biology SC1

Introduction

Plants also take in energy, like humans, who get their energy from raw materials-such as food, however plants do not seem to be in taking food their mostly common source of raw materials comes from the soil. A statement from GCSE Biology states’…Experiments show that the weight gained by a growing plant is far greater than the weight lost by the soil it is growing in.’ This statement implies that there must be an increase in the raw materials such as water and air. A hypothesis to show a source of food in plants is from the air, water and soil salts. Glucose contains three elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C6H12O6). The carbon and oxygen is mainly supplied by (CO2) from the air and the hydrogen from water (H2O), in the soil.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis the building up of complicated food molecules from simple substances better known as ‘synthesis.’ In order for this process to take place, it requires enzymes and energy. The first stage where synthesis begins is from the sun. The sun supplies the plant as a source of light, which is essential for photosynthesis. This is where we get the word ‘photo’ from as it means 'light'. Therefore this process is referred to as photosynthesis.

So, what is the process of photosynthesis, and where does it take place?

Photosynthesis takes place in the green substance known as chlorophyll. Chlorophyll plays an important role in the whole process it can be found in the chloroplast of plant cells. The chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and makes the energy from sunlight available for chemical reactions. This process effects the function of chlorophyll is to convert light energy to chemical energy.