The aim of my experiment is to determine whether or not the intensity of light would affect the rate of photosynthesis in a plant.

Authors Avatar

INVESTIGATING THE LIGHT INTENSITY AND THE EFFECT IT HAS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Aim

The aim of my experiment is to determine whether or not the intensity of light would affect the rate of photosynthesis in a plant.

Introduction:

Photosynthesis occurs in the presence of light; it takes place in the chloroplasts of green plant cells. Photosynthesis can be defined as the production of sugars from carbon dioxide and water causing the release of sugars and oxygen.

The chemical equation for photosynthesis can be expressed as:

                                     (Light)

              6CO2  + 6H2O  À  C6H12O6 + 6O2  (in the presence of chlorophyll)

 

There are many factors, which affect the rate of photosynthesis, including light intensity, temperature, and carbon dioxide and concentration.

LIGHT INTENSITY:

The pigment, chlorophyll, in the leaf, absorbs light energy. Chlorophyll easily absorbs blue light, and also easily absorbs red light. However, it does not easily absorb green or yellow light, rather it reflects them, decreasing the amount of light absorbed and therefore, the rate of photosynthesis. Using the same lamp throughout the experiment can easily control this.

CARBON DIOXIDE:

This can affect the arte of photosynthesis, if there is too little CO; it can become the limiting factor.

Join now!

WATER:

Water is reacted in the photosynthesis reaction, and when it is lacking, the plants stomata close to prevent further water loss. This closing of the stomata cells also leads to little carbon dioxide being able to diffuse through, however, in a water plant, like the elodea, as long as the plant is fully under the water at all times, this will not be a problem.

TEMPERATURE:

 Temperature will increase the rate of photosynthesis, until enzymes denature.

Prediction:

I predict that as the light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases up until a certain level is ...

This is a preview of the whole essay