TITLE : factors affecting rate of photosynthesis

Research question :  What is the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in  Ananas Comosus leaf disc?

Introduction:         

Photosynthesis is a chemical process whereby light energy is used to convert raw materials; water, carbon dioxide, to organic substances such as glucose and oxygen. Water vapour is also released to surrounding as waste product.

Photosynthesis can be summarized as following:

Carbon dioxide + water  ―› Glucose + Oxygen

However, the rate of photosynthesis can be higher or lower depending on the factors that affect them; light intensity, temperature, concentration of carbon dioxide. This process occurs in chloroplast because it contains abundant green pigments called chlorophyll. These pigments are found to be in any parts of the plants that is green, including the leaves.

Light intensity is one of the factors that largely affect photosynthesis because it is used to supply photons to the chlorophyll. When it reaches photosystems in chlorophyll, more electrons are excited and released to start off the process of photosynthesis. As a result, the rate of photosynthesis will increase gradually. When it reaches maximum point, the process will be constant.

Hypothesis : If the leaf disc of ananas comosus is exposed to greater light intensity, the rate of photosynthesis will be higher. But, this is only true up to a maximum point, then the rate will be constant as the light intensity will be the limiting factor.

Light intensity is one of the factors that largely affect photosynthesis because it is used to supply photons to the chlorophyll. When it reaches photosystems in chlorophyll, more electrons are excited and released to start off the process of photosynthesis. As a result, the rate of photosynthesis will increase gradually. When it reaches maximum point, the process will be constant.

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Variables

  1. Independent variables : distance of table lamp from the leaves (light intensity)

The light intensity (L) is controlled by placing the source of light which is the lamp,  to the ananas comosus leaf disc at different distances,D.

The light intensity is calculated as :

L =1/D²

Several distances were chosen: 10 cm, 15 cm,20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm

The distance of the lamp to the leaf is measured by using metre ruler.

  1. Dependent variables : time taken for the leaves to float

The time taken for each ananas comosus leaf disc ...

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