Name: Rudra Khandai

Date: 15/10/2024

Lab # 4

Title: Photosynthesis

Aim: to determine the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

Background information:
Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce
glucose and oxygen. Light intensity is a key factor influencing how fast photosynthesis occurs, at
lower light levels light is a limiting factor meaning that as light intensity increases so does the
rate of photosynthesis. However, this increase only continues up to a certain point known as the
light saturation point, beyond this point the rate of photosynthesis no longer rises with additional
light because the plant has reached its maximum capacity for photosynthesis under the current
conditions and light intensity is no longer a limiting factor.
Photosynthesis is limited by the factor in the shortest supply such as light which is critical for
both stages of the process. The light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes
of chloroplasts where photosystems PSI and PSII absorb light to drive photophosphorylation.
In cyclic photophosphorylation PSI absorbs light energizing electrons that pass through an
electron transport chain creating a proton gradient for ATP production via chemiosmosis. These
electrons eventually return to PSI.
Non-cyclic photophosphorylation involves both PSI and PSII. Light absorbed by PSII triggers
photolysis which is the splitting of water into oxygen, protons, and electrons. These electrons
replace those lost by PSI enter the electron transport chain and produce ATP. They are then used
to reduce NADP to NADPH. In the light-independent stage light indirectly aids glucose
formation as ATP and NADPH produced earlier drive the reduction of glycerate-3-phosphate to
triose phosphate enabling glucose synthesis.
Apparatus:

 Retort stand and clamp.

 Boiling tubes
 Thermometer
 Stopwatch
 Clippers
 LED light

Materials:

 Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution

 Aquatic plant
 Wooden ruler
Method:

1. Boiling tube was filled with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and was supported
using the clamp from the retort stand.
2. The aquatic plant was submerged in water and exposed to direct sunlight for five minutes.
3. A piece if the aquatic plant was removed and placed in the boiling tube containing
sodium hydrogen carbonate.
4. The top part of the stem was cut off at an angle using dissecting scissors.
5. The temperature of sodium hydrogen carbonate was recorded using a thermometer.
6. The LED light was placed 10cm away from the boiling tube and allowed to stand for five
minutes.
7. The number of bubbles produced at the end of the stem within one minute were recorded.
8. Steps 6-7 were repeated using 20, 30, and 40 cm, respectively.
Discussion:

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae and some bacteria convert light energy
usually from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs primarily in the
chloroplast of the plant cells where chlorophyll captures light energy.

The equation for photosynthesis may be summarize as:

sunlight

6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (aq)  C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g)

chlorophyll

The plant produced less bubbles as it moved away from the light source. At 0 cm, the plant
produced six bubbles suggesting a high rate of photosynthesis. However, as the distance grew to
10 cm the bubble count decreased to four, indicating a fall in light intensity affecting the process.
At 20 cm the plant produced only three bubbles, indicating a continuous reduction in
photosynthetic activity. Finally, at 40 cm the plant generated a single bubble.

The results obtained from the experiment demonstrate a clear trend, as the distance of the LED
light from the plant increases, the number of bubbles produced decreases. This suggests that
higher light intensity achieved by placing the light source closer to the plant increases the rate of
photosynthesis leading to an increased production of oxygen bubbles. Alternatively, as the light
source moves farther away and light intensity decreases the rate of photosynthesis decreases
resulting in fewer bubbles. This shows that light intensity is a crucial factor affecting the rate of
photosynthesis as closer light sources provide more energy to drive the plants photosynthetic
processes.
Source of error:

 Inaccurate measurement of distance from light to plant.

 Variation in light intensity.

Limitation:

 Availability of healthy aquatic plant.



Conclusion:

In conclusion, as light intensity decreases, so does the rate of photosynthesis. This is because as
light intensity decreases the number of bubbles also decreases, thus the rate of photosynthesis is
directly correlated with light intensity.
Calculations:

1. Distance from light source from plant = 0cm

Number of bubbles observed = 6
Time = 300 seconds
Light intensity=1/ (0)2 = 0 candela
Rate of photosynthesis= 6/ 300 = 0.02 bubbles per second

2. Distance from light source from plant = 10cm

Number of bubbles observed = 4
Time = 300 seconds
Light intensity=1/ (10)2 = 0.01candela
Rate of photosynthesis= 4/ 300 = 0.013 bubbles per second

3. Distance from light source from plant = 20cm

Number of bubbles observed = 3
Time = 300 seconds
Light intensity=1/ (20)2 = 1/400 = 0.0025 candela
Rate of photosynthesis= 3/ 300 = 0.01 bubbles per second

4. Distance from light source from plant = 30cm

Number of bubbles observed = 2
Time = 300 seconds
Light intensity=1/ (30)2 = 1/900 = 0.0011 candela
Rate of photosynthesis= 2/ 300 = 6.66 bubbles per second

5. Distance from light source from plant = 40cm

Number of bubbles observed = 1
Time = 300 seconds
Light intensity=1/ (40)2 = 0.000625 candela
Rate of photosynthesis= 1/ 300 = 3.33 bubbles per second
 References

 BD Editors. (2017, July 31). Photosynthesis. Biology Dictionary.

[Link]

 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Guidelines BYJU'S. (2021, March 22).
BYJUS. [Link]

 Khan Academy. (2010, February 2). Photosynthesis: Light Reactions and

Photophosphorylation [Video]. YouTube. [Link]
v=yfR36PMWegg

 BD Editors. (2019, October 5). Limiting Factor. Biology Dictionary.

[Link]
Appendix:

IMAGE SHOWING AQUATIC PLANT SUBMERGED IN SODIUM HYDROGEN

CARBONATE.

IMAGE SHOWING RESEARCHERS CONDUCTING EXPERIMENT.