To Investigate the Effect of Temperature On the Rate of Photosynthesis in Canadian Pond Weed.

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 Planning an Experimental Procedure

To Investigate the Effect of Temperature On the Rate of Photosynthesis in Canadian Pond Weed

        The purpose of the experiment is to find out how the effect of temperature will alter the rate of photosynthesis. What will happen with an increase of carbon dioxide, upon the rate of photosynthesis, when a certain amount of sodium hydro carbonate is added?

Predicted Outcome

        During the experiment I predict that, as the temperature gradually rises, the rate of photosynthesis will also rise which will result in more oxygen being given off. As the temperature reaches 50oC – 60oC, I think the enzymes will start to breakdown and denature. This will result in photosynthesis decreasing, so therefore there will be a reduction in oxygen given off. Oxygen will be released until photosynthesis has completely finished. Hence between the temperatures of 100C and 600C there will be definite signs of an increase in oxygen given off but also definite signs of recreation in photosynthesis. If the lamp is placed nearer to the apparatus

There will more oxygen given off. The sodium hydro carbonate will also speed up the process of photosynthesis. With the experiment that we are doing, we are giving the Canadian pondweed an artificial environment, so therefore we will not receive accurate results.

Scientific Explanation of Predictions

        The process by which plants make food is called photosynthesis. For this chemical reaction to take place the plant must use inorganic materials, mainly carbon dioxide, which is obtained from the atmosphere and water from the soil and in the presence of chlorophyll and energy (from the sun) will manufacture carbohydrates. If the lamp is placed nearer to the pond weed, (the lamp acting as the sun), the rays of light will get trapped in the chlorophyll, the water molecules split up into oxygen and hydrogen, and therefore giving off more oxygen. The hydrogen that is given off during this process combines with the carbon dioxide, from the atmosphere, and starts the manufacture of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and most vitamins. This again provides the plant with more oxygen.

        In my prediction, I said that the enzymes (proteins that have been manufactured) would start to breakdown. Enzymes are very important, because they are chemicals that are produced by the living cells, which have the power to alter the rate of chemical reactions occurring in the plant. Being that all enzymes are proteins, many enzymes can be produced from the process described above. All enzymes need water before they are able to function properly, due to the fact we are dealing with photosynthesis; we will not have to add excess water for the enzyme to work. Another property that an enzyme has is its narrow range of temperature. A rise in temperature would speed up any reaction but also a decrease in temperature will slow down the reaction. Maybe just as little as 100C could increase the rate of reaction by double the rate. As they are proteins, high temperatures will denature them. This is because the enzymes control the chemical reactions, which keep the cell alive. When a protein is heated to such a temperature of say 500C, the cross-linkage in its molecules break down; the bonds will start to vibrate or even brake. The molecules will lose their shape and will never again be able to regain their shape. This is the point when the cell denatures.

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Controls

  1. I will keep the light from the lamp at a constant distant away from the pondweed. I will do this so I will be able to get fair results and it will help reduce the number of anomalies. If the lamp is moved about during the practical it could alter the rate of photosynthesis.
  2. Throughout the practical the water level inside the test tube should be keep at a constant level to ensure good results and so that photosynthesis isn’t altered. If more water is added it is likely ...

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