Practical 7.

7 Design an investigation of the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis
Design and perform an experiment
1 2 3 4 Temperature, light intensity, time allowed for the release of oxygen, etc. Carbon dioxide concentration. By using sodium hydrogencarbonate solution of different concentrations. The volume of oxygen released per unit time.

5 An apparatus that has sodium hydrogencarbonate solution replaced with distilled water. 6 7 8 (Answer varies with Ss.) Provide a higher light intensity. Allow the plants to equilibrate before taking any readings. Take the average of three readings at each concentration of solution. Include a heat shield and check its temperature at intervals. Make sure the apparatus is air-tight by closing the clip completely.

Write an experimental report

Objective To investigate the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis. Apparatus and materials 1 pipette 1 boiling tube 1 beaker 1 thermometer 1 retort stand and clamp 1 rubber tubing 1 clip

1 100-watt bench lamp 1 razor blade 1 meter ruler 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.3% and 0.4% sodium hydrogencarbonate solution distilled water Hydrilla plants

Procedure 1.) Cut the stem of a Hydrilla plant to about 10 cm long.

2.) Set up the apparatus on p.111 (but replace sodium hydrogencarbonate solution with distilled water). Check the thermometer at intervals to ensure a constant temperature. Renew the water if necessary. 3.) Turn on the lamp and allow the plant to equilibrate for 5 minutes. 4.) Suck up the distilled water from the boiling tube. Close the clip completely. Record the starting position of the meniscus in the pipette. 5.) After 5 minutes, record the final position of the meniscus in the pipette. Calculate the rate of photosynthesis (volume of oxygen released per minute). Record two more readings. 6.) Repeat 2 to 5 with 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.3% and 0.4% sodium hydrogencarbonate solution instead of distilled water. 7.) Draw a graph of rate of photosynthesis against concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. Results

Analysis and discussion From 0 to 0.25% sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, the rate of photosynthesis increases rapidly with increasing carbon dioxide concentration. This is because more carbon dioxide is provided to the plants as raw material to carry out photosynthesis. From 0.25% to 0.4% sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, the rate of photosynthesis slows down with increasing carbon dioxide concentration. This is because other factors such as temperature become limiting. Conclusion The rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing carbon dioxide concentration. It slows down gradually when other factors become limiting.