Practical manual

M.Sc. II Sem

Dr. Ranjana Shrivastava

Professor and Head Department of Botany

Aim: To study the effect of different wavelengths of light on rate of

photosynthesis.

Materials required: Wilmott’s bubbler, water, twigs of Hydrilla, red, green and
blue cellophane paper, stop watch.

Principle: The process of photosynthesis is affected by many factors. Blackmans

law of limiting factor (1905) states that the rate of a process affected by a number
of factors is limited by the pace of the slowest factor. Thus if all the other factors
are kept constant, the factor affecting the rate is at minimum. The rate gradually
increases with the increase in the amount of this factor till the rate becomes
constant. The rate now does not increase even though the amount of this factor is
increased because another factor has now become factor in the minimum.

Average intensity of sunlight is sufficient for normal photosynthesis. The plants

can photosynthesize even a low light intensity but a very low rate. The rate,
however, continues to increase with increase in the light intensity till some other
factor becomes limiting. Higher intensity has an inhibitory effect, thus closing the
stomata and restricting the diffusion of CO2. Photosynthesis only takes place in the
visible part of the spectrum. Most effective wavelengths are red and blue-violet.

Procedure:

1. A wide mouthed bottle is completely filled with pond water, a cork is then fitted
at its mouth through which a glass tube wide at its open end is passed so as to dip
its lower end in pond water, and thus a Wilmott’s bubbler is prepared.

2. Another narrow glass tube open at both the ends is made into a bent jet and
introduced into the first glass tube. The twigs of Hydrilla are tied at the lower end
of this narrow glass tube inside the bottle.

3. The entire set up is kept under sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

4. To study the effect of different wavelengths of light the bubbler was covered
red, green and blue cellophane papers.

Observation table:

S. No. Time taken for 5 bubbles in

Sunlight Red light Blue light Green light
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Average
Result:

Conclusion:

Under the sunlight, plants continue to show a definite rate of photosynthesis

because the pigments active in photosynthesis absorb the respective wavelengths.
These wavelengths being most effective, the rate of photosynthesis is almost
maximum if other factors are also favourable.

If the red wavelengths (647-660 mµ) are available, the rate of photosynthesis rate
of photosynthesis is the maximum. The wavelength (near 670 mµ) is known to be
maximally effective.

Similarly, net higher peak of absorption in the blue wavelength is 422- 492 mµ. It
is absorbed in larger quantities than other wavelengths. These wavelengths (near
440 m µ) are second most effective. The rate of photosynthesis in this case, would
be lesser as compared to red wavelength.

The rate of photosynthesis is practically zero in the region of green wavelength.

This is because the chlorophylls reflect green wavelengths.

Precautions:
1. The apparatus should be made air tight so as not to allow air bubbles to escape.

2. The bubbler should be completely by cellophane paper.

3. Evolution of bubbles should be observed carefully.