IB Biology Lab Report

Chapter 8 Respiration and Photosynthesis [Photosynthesis 8.3]

Photosynthesis Lab Report

Introduction- Sun and light are strongly related to the plants. Not every bit of
the light from the sun makes it to the surface of the Earth. Even the light that
does make it here is reflected and broaden out. The little light that does make it
here is adequate for the plants of the world to survive and go through the
progression of photosynthesis1. Light in point of fact is energy, electromagnetic
energy to be exact2. When that energy gets to a green plant, all sorts of
reactions can take place to store energy in the form of sugar molecules 3. Even
when light gets to a plant, it actually uses only convinced colours to make
photosynthesis ensue. Plants mostly absorb red and blue wavelengths. In the
case of green plants, they do not absorb light from the green range.
Chlorophyll is the enchanting compound that can grasp that sunlight and start
the whole process. It is actually quite a speckled compound. However, as far as
plants are concerned, the chlorophyll is found in the chloroplasts. Carbon dioxide
and water combine with light to create oxygen and glucose. That glucose is used
in various forms by every creature on the planet. Animal cells require oxygen to
survive4. The molecules are moved and converted in the area called
the stroma. (Fig.1)
There is a total of 7000 x 109 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and
photosynthesis fixes 100 x 109tonnes per year. So 15% of the total carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere moves into photosynthetic organisms each year.
The overall chemical reaction involved in photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O (+ light energy) C6H12O6 + 6O2
The process of photosynthesis is divided into two main parts. The first part is
called the light dependent reaction. This reaction happens when the light
energy is captured and pushed into a chemical called ATP. The second part of the
process happens when the ATP is used to make glucose (the Calvin Cycle). That
second part is called the light independent reaction (Fig.2)5. So, basically its a
process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, normally
1 http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html
2 http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html
3 http://www.vocabulary.com/lists/20703
4
http://www.maypearlisd.org/cms/lib6/TX01918083/Centricity/Domain/203/BIOLOG
Y%20OF%20PLANTS.pdf
5

Rader. "PHOTOSYNTHESIS -PART I: THE SUN AND LIGHT." Biology4Kids.com: Plants: Photosynthesis. Andrew
Rader Studios, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.

from the sun, into chemical energy that can be later released. This chemical
energy is stored in carbohydrate molecules, such which are synthesized from
carbon dioxide and water hence the name photosynthesis, from the photo,
"light", and synthesis, "putting together".6(Fig.3)

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

The main aspects affecting rate of photosynthesis are light intensity, carbon
dioxide concentration and temperature. In any given situation any one of these
may become a limiting factor, in other words the factors that directly affects the
rate at which photosynthesis can take place masking the effects of the other
factors. 7

{1) Light: - At squat light intensities, as light

intensity increases, the rate of the light-dependent
reaction, and therefore photosynthesis commonly,
increases proportionately (straight line). The more
photons of light that plunge on a leaf, the larger the
quantity of chlorophyll molecules that are ionised
and the more ATP and NADPH are produced. Light
dependent reactions use light energy and so are not
affected by changes in temperature. As light
intensity is increased additionally, yet, the rate of photosynthesis is ultimately
limited by some other factor. So the rate plateaus. At very high light intensity,
chlorophyll may be damaged and the rate drops steeply (not shown in the
graph).
2) Concentration of carbon dioxide:- An increase in the carbon dioxide
concentration increases the rate at which carbon is built-in into carbohydrate in
the light-independent reaction, and so the rate of photosynthesis usually
increases until limited by another factor. As it is
normally present in the atmosphere at very low
concentrations (0.04%), increasing carbon dioxide
concentration causes a rapid rise in the rate of
photosynthesis, which eventually plateaus when
the maximum rate of fixation is reached.

Wiki, Media. "Photosynthesis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2014

7 "Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis." - Pass My Exams: Easy Exam Revision Notes for GSCE Biology.
Pass My Exams, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014.

3) Temperature:- Although the light

dependent reactions of photosynthesis are
not posh by changes in temperature, the
light independent reactions of photosynthesis
are dependent on temperature. They are
reactions catalysed by enzymes. As the
enzymes loom their optimum temperatures
the overall rate increases. It approximately
dual for every 10 C increase in temperature.
Above the optimum temperature the rate starts to decrease, as enzymes are
denatured, until it stops.

Research Question: - What is the effect of changing the salt (NaHCO3)

concentration/% (salinity) on the rate of photosynthesis that is change
in number of bubbles over time/seconds? At this time in this experiment,
to take different concentration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3) as it will release
O2 gas in form of bubbles from live elodea plant. Hydrilla (Esthwaite Waterweed
or Elodea) is a genus of aquatic plant, usually treated as containing just one
species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several
species9.
Hypothesis As we increase the concentration of NaHCO3 in the solution, there
will be more number of O2 bubbles given off, faster will be the rate of
photosynthesis.. The initial carbon dioxide
concentration/cm3 increases, the rate of
photosynthesis /s-1will increase as well. Therefore,
it can be said that when the concentration will at its
highest peak the rate of photosynthesis would be the
fastest. Gradually the rate falls of and at a certain
carbon dioxide concentration the rate of photosynthesis
stops. Here a rise in carbon dioxide levels has no affect
on the rate of photosynthesis as the other factors such
as light intensity become limiting (as mentioned in
background Information). If I increase the
concentration, the rate of photosynthesis would also increase.
Variables Independent Variable: % Concentration Of NaHCO3 Solution/ 0.02
The varying concentration in the following experiment is 0%, 0.10%, 0.30 %,
0.50 %, 0.70 % and 0.90%. The solutions will have to be prepared with a specific
amount of NaHCO3 by preparing the stock solution of 1.0% according to
calculation as shown in table below.
Stock Solution

Concentration
Needed/ % 0.02

Distille
d
Water/c
m3
0.01

NaHCO3/
cm3
0.01

8 http://www.rsc.org/Education/Teachers/Resources/cfb/Photosynthesis.htm
9 http://unnao.nic.in/nawabganjbirds/vegetation.html

1% Solution of
NaHCO3

0
100
0
0.10
90
10
0.30
80
20
0.50
70
30
0.70
60
40
0.90
50
50
As NaHCO3 is an ionic compound, when it is mixed with water, its quantity
doesnt affect the volume of water, therefore 100cm3 is the fixed volume. This
range has been selected because 0.3% of carbon dioxide concentration is
present in atmosphere. Keeping this point in view one of the concentrations was
0.3% while 2 concentrations below this range and 3 above this range were
chosen.

Dependent Variable-Rate of Photosynthesis (Number for Oxygen Bubbles

occurring in 2 minutes)/ 1
As independent variable changes, so will the dependent variable. In this case, it
will be number of bubbles being produced in 2 minutes with different
concentration from the live elodea plant which is rate of photosynthesis. Oxygen
is a waste product of photosynthesis and as the concentration of sodium
bicarbonate solution increases, the volume of oxygen produced will also increase
which is measured by counting the number of bubbles of oxygen produced in 2
minutes.
In this case the uncertainty of the bubbles increases with using higher
concentration of Sodium Bicarbonate solution.
Example When the concentration was low, the number of bubbles produced are
at slower rate, therefore lesser uncertainty. Whereas when the concentration is
increased the number of bubbles being produced will be at higher rate, therefore
uncertainty would increase.
Controlled Variables: Temperatur
e

Hot
water
bath

Length Of
Elodea
Plant

5.0 cm
(0.1)

Same Twig

Time for

Controlled Variables
A hot water bath was maintained at 45OC , in which test tube was
placed with a known concentration of Sodium Bicarbonate solution
and a photosynthesizing Elodea twigs. It was constantly being
monitored so that it does not create a drastic change in the reading.
The enzymes involved in light dependent reaction, (Calvin Cycle) are
temperature specific; the temperature should stay constant so that
the enzyme activity would not be affected.
If we increase the length of twig, the number of leaves also increase
affecting the rate of photosynthesis and fair results wont be
obtained. Therefore, it was kept same throughout the whole
experiment.
The twig has to be same as number leaves can vary through which
number of stomata can also vary. Number of stomata varying can
cause change in rate of photosynthesis.
Time causes a big variation therefore its better for it to be same for

counting
bubbles
Water used
in water
bath for
each
beaker
Volume of
NaHCO3
solution

minute
s
500
mL
(10)

all the readings of concentration

20 mL
(1)

Used for same concentration to be provided

This would help in providing uniform heat to the plant in the test-tube
containing Sodium Bicarbonate solution and photosynthesizing
Elodea twig.

Uncontrolled Variables
The experiment took place in open exposure which
means the flux kept changing which made it difficult
to measure causing inaccuracy.
Amount of water already
Before getting the plant, it must have been healthy
given to the Hydrilla
enough to survive and as it is a water plant, there
plant
must have been some photosynthesis been already
done which we cannot predict.
Age of the plant
The plant must have been living since long and there
is no way to know the age of the plant. Possibly
younger the plant more would be rate of
photosynthesis.
Photosynthetic Capability Every plant has different photosynthetic capability
of the plant
which means it would give our different rate. There
are various types of plant such as land plant and
water plants, whereas Hydrilla is a water plant.
Hydrilla may have different capability.
Level of carbon dioxide of The CO2 level of water in each water bath beaker
water
must have been changed due to the setup being
exposed in the air. This may cause minimal
variations.
Apparatus Used: - Various apparatus used. (Type Quantity Use)
Exposure to Light

1) Beaker (i) 100 cm3 x 5 [1cm3] To store different concentration of NaHCO 3

of
100 ml.
(ii)500 cm 3 beaker x 1[5 cm3] To store water in which test- tube
will be
put up.
2) Luxmeter x 1 To measure light intensity of outside.
3) Measuring Cylinder (i) 25cm3 x 5 [0.5cm3] To measure 20cm3 of
concentration for each trial.

(ii) 100 cm 3 x 5 [1.0cm3] 1 beaker For making

concentration, to measure 100cm3 of water to mix with
powder.
4) Centimetre ruler x1 [1cm] To measure the size of twig while cutting as it
has to be 5cm.
5) Scalpel (Size of blade = 21) x 1 To cut the twig
6) Stirrer x 1 To mix the concentration solution. (E.g. Mixing 90 cm 3 of water
with 10 cm3 of NaHCO3.)
7) Stopwatch x 1 [0.01 seconds] To measure 2 minutes (160 seconds) for
bubbles to rise in test-tube from plant edge.
8) Test-tube [50 mm x 16 mm (14 mm inside diameter)] x 1 To put twig in
with the concentration to calculate bubbles, that is where rate of photosynthesis
have to take place.
9) Thermometer x 1 thermometer [1OC] To measure temperature of the water
in which the test-tube is kept and also to measure temperature of water bath.
10) Tub x 1 To keep the twig of elodea plant as it is a water plant and need
water to live, also to cut the twig in as a base.
11) Tweezers x 1 To displace twig from tub to test-tube or test-tube to tub.
12) Water bath machine [Machine with dye pot] x 1 To warm the temperature
as it is a device that maintains water at a constant temperature.
13) Syringe x 1 of 10cm3[1cm3] To take a prcised reading when measuring.
10cm3 of NaHCO3.
Materials Required:a) Elodea Plant - Elodea is a genus of aquatic plants often called the waterweeds
1 long twig (of 5cm cut and crushed at the end) To get the bubbles out
proving elodea photosynthesizing.
b) Sodium Bicarbonate(NaHCO3) - It is a white solid that is crystalline but often
appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of
washing soda (sodium carbonate).
Risk Assessment :As a scalpel is being used in the experiment, it should be handled in a proper
way that is wearing gloves. Gloves will also have to be there because hot water
bath is being used up, which if water is too hot it could burn the skin. Wearing
safety goggles is also very important, as when the water bath is to be refilled or
any other, the steam can get in contact with your eyes which may hard the eyes.
Procedure :- There has to be precise instruction to be chase to conduct the
experiment.
Collect and arrange all the materials and apparatus required. Keep a luxmeter
such at a place in open that the changing light intensity could be seen
fluctuating, as it is an uncontrolled variable. Fill the water bath, then plug it in
carefully. Start the switch, so that the water would start getting heated up. Place

a thermometer in one of the holes of the covering top of the machine so that
once the temperature which is decided has been reached, the experiment could
be started. Carefully using a scalpel cut the elodea plant keeping in the tub filled
with water of 5cm length, as Elodea plant is a water plant it may lose its
efficiency if cut outside of water. Take a stock solution of 1% of NaHCO3(provided
by the lab). Using a syringe/measuring cylinder for a specific reading, for
example for concentration of 0.50%, take 70cm3 of water using a measuring
cylinder and warily put it in the beaker. Then using another measuring cylinder,
take 30cm3 of NaHCO3 and put it in the same beaker. Stir the solution using a
stirrer. Once the labelled solutions are prepared, check the temperature of the
water in water bath using a thermometer if it has reached enough needed. Make
sure it is higher than the temperature you need as in this case it is 45 oC it should
be above this, so that mixing cold water would help, as environmental
temperature can create a big difference. Whereas if solution temperature drops
more 2OC the, refill the hot water enough carefully. Take 350 cm 3 of specific
temperature required in 500 cm3 beaker using a 100 cm3 beaker. Transfer 20 cm 3
of solution prepared using a measuring cylinder into the test-tube. Using a
tweezers put the 5cm twig inside the test-tube. And the test tube in 500 cm 3
beaker. Outside in the light, put the whole 500 cm 3 beaker, and start the
stopwatch. Count the number of bubbles, for each concentration appearing.
Repeat the readings for consistency, with fresh equipments, that is properly
washed.
Data Collection:Calculations in table 1
-

Concentrations Uncertainty= Water uncertainty (cm 3)+ NaHCO3 (g)=

0.01+0.01= 0.02

Raw Data Table: - Results of the effect of (NaHCO3) carbon dioxide

concentration/cm3 on the rate of photosynthesis/s-1
Live Elodea
% Concentration of
NaHCO3 solution
0.02

0.1

Trials/bubbles 1
T1
T2
T3

T4

30

25

1
9
0.3
39
40
39
38
3
7
0.5
45
45
42
43
4
4
0.7
46
43
45
50
5
1
0.9
52
54
52
53
5
0
As the solution was prepared (NaHCO3) with different concentration,
uncertainty also varied from 0.1 % to 0.9%.
Calculations in table 2

26

29

T5

Avg.
numbe
r of
bubble
s /1
26
39
44
47
52
so the

% Uncertainty = (
=

Uncertainity
)
Value

100

0.1
( 25.8
) 100

= 0.39%
Final Table
Table 2 - Standard deviation (the variation or dispersion is there in the
readings and amongst each other) pictured with the reading.
Live Elodea
Concentration/cm
3 0.02
0.10
0.30
0.50
0.70
0.90

Average
number of
bubbles
0.1
25.8
38.6
43.8
47.0
52.2

%
Uncertaint
y
0.39%
0.26%
0.22%
0.21%
0.19%

Standar
d
Deviati
on
4.32
1.14
1.30
3.39
1.48

Basic Calculation
(i)
(ii)

Average= addition of trials/number of trials

0.1 cm3 = (26+30+25+29+19)/5 = 25.8
Standard Deviation = Root [Sum(every
reading average)2/5]

0.1cm3 = [(26-25.8)2+(30-25.8)2+(25-25.8)2+(29-25.8)2+(19-25.8)2]/5
= [(0.04) + (17.64) + (0.64) + (10.24) + (46.24)/5]
= 4 kPas-1
Graphs :Graph1 showing The effect initial (NaHCO3) carbon dioxide concentration/cm3 on
the rate of photosynthesis/s-1

Concentration Of NaHCO3 Vs. Number of bubbles

60
50

f(x) = 30.6x + 26.18

40
Number Of Bubbles / 1

30

Linear ()

20
10
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Concentration Of NaHCO3/cm3 0.02

This graph illustrates the variation amongst the readings. The error bars show
the 5%value error.
Conclusion :- Therefore, rate can be determined by the bubbles itself in
2minutes as per the reading, defining rate of photosynthesisOf O 2 bubbles
appearing. The data suggests that as the concentration increases the number of
bubbles also increase to rise in 2minutes, this statement suggests my hypothesis
which was as we increase the carbon dioxide concentration/cm3, the
rate of photosynthesis /s-1will be higher because more number of
bubbles will be produced. As rate is defined in seconds, the number of
bubbles appeared were in120 seconds. My hypothesis is reliable and correct
because as we go increasing the concentrations of NaHCO 3, there is more
number of bubbles increasing. This is due to the increase in amount of O 2 coming
from NaHCO3. There is a positive correlation between NaHCO3 concentration and
the average number of bubbles for each concentration illustrating the formal
hypothesis as well as rate of photosynthesis. As all the other factors like light
intensity, and temperature was kept constant. Carbon dioxide is used to make
sugar in the photosynthesis reaction. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the
Earths atmosphere varies between 0.03% and 0.04%. An increase in the
concentration of carbon dioxide gives an increase in the rate of photosynthesis.
It is difficult to do this out in the open air but is possible in a greenhouse. There a
gradual increase afterward there wasnt any constant readings obtained.
Evaluation :- Though the reading of the experiment are in harmony with the
hypothesis that the number of bubbles will increase with NaHCO 3 concentration.
Through previously attain knowledge we know that the process of photosynthesis
in plants entail the two main reactants carbon dioxide and light in order to
produce glucose and oxygen, which is given off as a waste product. At the same
time the plant respires, which results in the loss of carbon dioxide by the Krebs
cycle, and other activities being carried out in the plant. There are many limiting
factors that play a major role in the process of photosynthesis. The experiment
was effective in meeting the aim which was to determine the affect of
concentration on the rate of photosynthesis on Elodea, an aquatic plant that is

submerged in water by using a look out that is bubbles to observe the amount of
carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant.
Limitations
1) There was uncertainty in all of the instruments used. This makes the
measurements slightly inaccurate. There may have been different
amount of solution in each replicate, and different amount of solute. This
makes each replicate imperfect and uncertain. There was also uncertainty
in the ruler, and distance was only measured in whole numbers. This
makes the data less accurate than it could have been if it were measured
to the tenths place.
2) The Elodea plants we used were not very fresh when we used them in our
experiment. This was another limitation that could affect the results of our
data. A fresh plant is more likely to photosynthesize properly than a plant
that is old and shrivelled up.
3) The last limitation that occurred had to do with the external and internal
lights in the lab area. Since there were many other experiments going on,
as well as lights in the room itself, the internal light could have affected
the rate of photosynthesis that occurred in the plant. Also as the external
light wasnt didnt have fixed light intensity.
Improvements
1) Using instruments with 5% less uncertainty that the ones used in this
experiment.
2) It is important to keep in mind that some plants had more leaves and were
greener than others and so naturally the rate of photosynthesis was higher
in those plants than in the plants that were old.
3) External lights were a cause for concern during the experiment. One
solution that can be used in order to ensure a proper environment for the
plant to photosynthesize was to use bubbles of different watts in a dark
room for less variation n in light intensity as it is a limiting factor.