Elodea Design Lab

DESIGN ASPECT 1: Defining the Problem and Selecting Variables

Background Information:
Soil salinity, the amount of salt present in soil, is a very important
factor to consider in the growth of plants. The greater the soil content, the
more difficult it is for plants to take up water (Munns 2002.) Plasmolysis,
which occurs when a plant is placed in a hypertonic solution, causes
changes in cell structure, with the detachment of the living protoplast from
the cell wall. (Lang-Pauluzzi 2000.) This therefore reduces the overall growth
and thriving of plants in particularly salty environments, and is a serious
problem across the globe.
One of the most important chemical reactions that occur in plants is
photosynthesis. This is the process by which photosynthetic organisms
convert light energy to the chemical energy of food. Carbon dioxide and
water, with the assistance of sunlight, produce glucose for these organisms
to function. Many factors, including temperature, pH, and light intensity can
affect the rate of photosynthesis by interfering with either the reactants
needed or the proteins involved in the reaction.
Elodea canadensis is a freshwater plant that is native to North
America. They are often used in aquariums. As an aquatic plant, living
entirely underwater, the rate of photosynthesis can be calculated in several
different ways. The consumption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen
can be easily measured in water, either by using probes or counting oxygen
bubbles.
This experiment investigates the rate of photosynthesis of Elodea
canadensis in different salt solutions. Because the plant normally thrives in
fresh water, these salt solutions will cause some of the plants cells to
plasmolyze. The structure of the cell is very important in terms of nutrient
absorption. (Torabi 2013) These changes in diffusion rate should inhibit the
ability of a plant to carry out processes such as photosynthesis. I chose this
experiment knowing that the results would be significant in confirming the

range of environments that plants can thrive in, and be relevant in real life
applications.
Problem Question:
What is the effect of salinity on the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea
Canadensis?
Manipulated Variable:
In this experiment, each level of manipulation featured different percentages
of NaCl solution, by increments of 2. The five groups include the control
group (0%) 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. These levels were obtained by dissolving
different amounts of table salt in distilled water. These values were chosen
because they differed enough to provide varied results, but were also not too
high as to cause serious damage to the plants ability to photosynthesize.
Responding Variable:
This experiment quantitatively measures the number of oxygen bubbles
produced by Elodea canadensis samples within three minutes. The numbers
varied over the several levels of manipulation. These values, after being
carefully observed and recorded, were then used to calculate the rate of
oxygen produced over that duration of time.
Hypothesis:
The greater percentage of NaCl solution, the lower the rate of photosynthesis
will be. Because of the changes that plasmolysis will cause to occur in the
structure of the cell, the process photosynthesis will not be carried out as
efficiently. The highest rate will belong to the distilled water (0% NaCl)
because the cell will remain turgid. The lowest rate will be associated with
the 8% NaCl solution because it will have experienced the greatest amount
of plasmolysis. Salinity and photosynthetic rate will have an inverse
relationship, and each level of manipulation should have significantly
different rates.

DESIGN ASPECT 2: Controlling Variables

CONTROLLED
VARIABLES
1. Temperature

2. Length of time

3. Number of leaves

WHY in must be
controlled
Temperature must be
controlled to ensure
the functioning of
enzymes involved in
the reaction is
constant. If the
temperature is not
within the proper
range,
The length of time in
each trial must be
controlled so the rate
can be properly
calculated (in terms
of bubbles per
minute.)

The number of leaves

must be controlled to
ensure that they all
have equal chances
to photosynthesize.
Leaves are the
locations of
chloroplasts, which
capture the photons
used in
photosynthesis.

HOW it was controlled

All Elodea samples and
solutions were stored in
water at room
temperature. The
experiment also took
place at room
temperature.
Each sample was allowed
to soak in its solution for
30 seconds, giving them
time to start
plasmolyzing. Once
placed under the lamp,
they remained there for
five minutes to
photosynthesize.
All times were kept
carefully using a timer.
Every Elodea sample was
cut to include
approximately 20 leaves.
This resulted in samples
of about the same size.

DESIGN ASPECT 3: Developing a Method for Collection of Data

Materials:
25 samples of Elodea Canadensis (with approximately 20 leaves) for
each of the five trials
Five 125 mL Pyrex flasks (to accommodate 100 mL of solution)
Triple beam balance
40 grams of table salt (For 200mL of 2, 4, 6, and 8% NaCl solutions)
Baking soda (enough for 10 pinches)
Five 50mL Pyrex test tubes (to accommodate 30 mL of solution with
Elodea sample)
Test tube rack (with room for a minimum of 5 test tubes)
Timer
Lamp
Procedure:
1. Label five 125 mL flasks 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%.
2. Fill the first flask* with 100 mL of distilled water (control group)
3. Measure out 2, 4, 6, and 8 grams of table salt using a triple beam
balance and place them in the remaining four flasks, respectively.
4. Add distilled water to the flasks until the salt solution reaches 100 mL.
-Stir until fully dissolved.
5. Add a pinch of baking soda to each flask (to increase carbon dioxide
content) and stir until fully dissolved.
6. Label five 50 mL test tubes 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%.
7. Fill each of the test tubes* with 30 mL of the respective NaCl solutions.
8. Place one sample of Elodea in the first test tube, leaving out of direct
light.
9. After 30 seconds, place the test tube under a lamp for five minutes and
count the number of oxygen bubbles released in three minutes.
-Begin timing and counting immediately after it is placed under the
light
10.
Repeat steps 6-8 for four additional trials, in order to collect
sufficient relevant data.
11.
Repeat steps 1-4 after the first three trials, when more solution
is required.

*Clean prior to each use, to ensure accuracy of solution concentrations

Safety Precautions:
-When preparing samples of Elodea, be careful using scissors.
-Use caution while handling glass test tubes or flasks.

Bibliography:
Lang-Pauluzzi, I., and B. E. S. Gunning. "A Plasmolytic Cycle: The Fate of
Cytoskeletal Elements." Protoplasma 212.3-4 (2000): 174-85. Springer
Link. Web. 23 Dec. 2014.
<http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01282918>.
Munns, R. "Comparative Physiology of Salt and Water Stress." Plant, Cell
and Environment 25.2 (2002): 239-50. NCBI. Web. 23 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11841667>.
Torabi, Masoud, Ridzwan A. Halim, Aliakbar Mokhtarzadeh, and Yasamin
Miri. "Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Plants in Saline
Environment." (n.d.): n. pag. Academia.edu. Web. 23 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.academia.edu/4609626/Physiological_and_Biochemical_Re
sponses_of_Plants_in_Saline_Environment>.