Name____________________________________________Period___________Date______________________ Virtual Investigation: The Effects of Carbon Dioxide & Light on Photosynthesis Overview: In this virtual lab investigation

you will determine how carbon dioxide concentration and light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis in the aquatic plant Elodea. You will measure the rate of photosynthesis by counting the number of oxygen bubbles that are released from the plant over a period of time Review the chemical equation for photosynthesis: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O Procedure:
1.

C6H12O6 + 6 O2

2. Go to http://www.newpathlearning.com/MML/PHOTOSYNTHESIS/files/BubbleLa b.swf 3. Prepare the Elodea plant by cutting the stem at an angle and placing it in the beaker. (Click on Prepare Plant button) 4. Fill the beaker with the water mixture you would like to use by selecting 0 ppm, 300 ppm, 600 ppm or 1200 ppm. Each mixture has a difference concentration of carbon dioxide measured in parts per million (ppm). The 0 ppm mixture is distilled water. 5. Select the light intensity you would like to use (5,000, 15,000 or 25,000 lux). 6. Start the timer and count the number of oxygen bubbles produced in four minutes. (Note: The speed of the timer is simulated) 7. Record your data in the table. 8. Repeat the procedure and select a different water mixture &/or light intensity. Be sure to test each combination of these two variables. 9. Use the data in the table to plot the data on a graph. (You will have 4 lines on your graph) Data Table 5,000 0 300 600 1200 15,000 25,000

Name____________________________________________Period___________Date______________________ Graph

Analysis. 1. What are the products of photosynthesis?

2. Which of these products is released from the plant as a gas? 3. What can you tell about photosynthesis if a plant begins to produce more gas bubbles? Fewer gas bubbles?

4. What plant organelle carries out photosynthesis and produces the gas? 5. When was the greatest number of bubbles produced? Use data to support your answer. 6. How does the intensity of light affect the rate of photosynthesis?