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Comparing Rates of Photosynthesis Under Different Light Colours
Background Information:
Photosynthesis requires light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Different colours (wavelengths) of light affect the rate of photosynthesis differently.
Method (Provided):
- Elodea (pondweed) is placed in water with sodium bicarbonate.
- Light of different colours (white, red, green, blue) is shone on the plant for 5 minutes each.
- Oxygen bubbles released are counted.
- Note: Distance from the light source and light intensity may vary slightly.
Results (Provided to You):
Light Colour Bubbles Per Minute
White 28
Red 24
Blue 26
Green 8
Introduction
In biological systems, photosynthesis is a critical process by which plants create their own energy. It occurs when plants take in light energy from the sun, to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose.
Aim
The aim of this investigation was to determine how light colour affects the rate of photosynthesis, by measuring the amount of oxygen bubbles released by pondweed when a light is shone. This experiment aims to better understand the role of lightwave energy in photosynthesis.
Hypothesis
It was hypothesised that if a green light is used, then the rate of bubbles per minute will decrease, whereas if a red or blue light is used, the rate of bubbles per minute will increase. This is because of chlorophyll, the organelle in plants used to collect light energy. Chlorophyll absorbs different wavelengths of light to varying degrees, and is known to absorb red and blue light most effectively, but green the least effectively. This prediction aligns with the theory that chlorophyll absorption governs the relationship between light colour and photosynthesis.
Discussion
The results showed a clear trend: when red and blue light was used, the rate of oxygen bubbles per minute was higher when compared to using green light. For example, when using red light and blue light, the results were respectively 24 bubbles per minute and 26 bubbles per minute. However, when using green light only 8 bubbles were released per minute. This supports the hypothesis that red and blue light is more effective for photosynthesis.
This trend is supported by the principle of light absorption, which states that there are 3 primary colours of light: red, green, and blue. If something is one of these colours, it means it absorbs the other 2 colours effectively, but not the one it is. In this case, during photosynthesis, chlorophylls absorb energy from blue- and red-light waves, and reflect green light waves, making the plant appear green. If the chlorophyll tries to absorb green light, it isn’t as effective, so leads to less energy produced, which is why less oxygen bubbles were released by the pondweed.
While no blatant anomalies were observed and the trend matched expectations, some consistent inaccuracies may have occurred due to systematic errors like the distance from the light source and the light intensity, which varied slightly. A random error might include inaccuracies when counting the amount of oxygen bubbles released, reducing precision. To improve the experiment, we could ensure the plant is of identical distance from the light source in each trial by using calibrated measuring equipment. This would consequently enhance the reliability and accuracy of the results. Although the method was valid since it tested the aim directly, future studies could investigate the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on photosynthesis.
These findings are significant in real-world contexts such as agriculture and environmental science, where understanding the relationship between light colour and the rate of photosynthesis can improve crop production and vertical farming. These results highlight how scientific understanding translate into societal thinking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the experiment demonstrated that red and blue light was most effective and green was the least effective. thereby supporting the original hypothesis. This was consistent with the principle of varying chlorophyll absorption of different lightwaves, though the results were subject to uncontrolled variables and measurement inaccuracies. Overall, the investigation deepened understanding of light energy absorption in plants and its relevance to environmental science. Future experiments could explore the effect of of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis.
