Photosynthesis Virtual Labs Analysis

Photosynthesis Virtual Labs

Lab 1: Glencoe Photosynthesis Lab

Analysis Questions

1. Make a hypothesis about which color in the visible spectrum causes the most plant growth and which color in the visible spectrum causes the least plant growth?

If red, blue and violet are best used by plants, then plants will grow best under these colors.

If green and yellow provide the least energy for plants, then plants will grow worse under these conditions.

 

2. How did you test your hypothesis? Which variables did you control in your experiment and which variable did you change in order to compare your growth results?

I used the light and plant growth virtual lab and measured the average heights of the plants under the different conditions. In this lab, there was no control lab to compare to, and the independent variable was the color of the light used.

Results:

Filter Color	Spinach Avg. Height (cm)	Radish Avg. Height (cm)	Lettuce Avg. Height (cm)
Red	18
Orange	14
Green	2
Blue	19
Violet	16

3. Analyze the results of your experiment. Did your data support your hypothesis? Explain. If you conducted tests with more than one type of seed, explain any differences or similarities you found among types of seeds.

The data supported our hypothesis as the colors which we predicted would grow plants better had higher average heights and the colors which we predicted would do worse had lower height averages.

4. What conclusions can you draw about which color in the visible spectrum causes the most plant growth?

Colors closer to the end of the visible color spectrum provide more energy and help plants grow better than visible light closer to the middle of the spectrum.

5. Given that white light contains all colors of the spectrum, what growth results would you expect under white light?

I would expect plants under white light to grow the best and have the highest average height because white light contains all the colors in the spectrum and thus has the combined energy of all of them.

Site 2: Photolab

• Question: Does the amount of carbon dioxide present during photosynthesis affect the rate of photosynthesis?
• Hypothesis: If photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide to create glucose, and to gain more of a product you need more of the reactants, then an increase in carbon dioxide levels will increase the rate of photosynthesis.
• Experimental Parameters:
• Dependant Variable: The amount of oxygen released.

• Independent Variable: Level of carbon dioxide in the water.
• Control: Water with a low level of carbon dioxide.
• Constant:
• Temperature: 10
• Light Intensity: 20%
• Data Table

Amount of Oxygen Released
Time:		15s	30s
Levels of Carbon Dioxide	High	4	8
	Low	3	6

Conclusion

In this lab we asked the question, does the amount of carbon dioxide present during photosynthesis affect the rate of photosynthesis? We found that the amount of carbon affects the rate of photosynthesis. For every 15s in the virtual lab, when there was a low amount of carbon dioxide, only 3 bubbles rose, while the high amount of carbon dioxide caused 4 bubbles. The bubbles are a product of photosynthesis as the oxygen is released and causes a bubble to rise to the top. Also, to create a faster rate of reactions and more products in science, you need a higher amount of reactants, which is why a higher amount of carbon dioxide causes a faster reaction and more product. This data supports our claim because it shows how a higher amount of carbon dioxide increases the reaction and shows the differences caused by varying amounts.

This lab was done to demonstrate the effects of external parameters on the rate of photosynthesis. From this lab I learned how different external environmental changes affect the rate of photosynthesis, which helps me understand the concept of photosynthesis and how an increase in reactants increases the rate and product from a reaction. Based on my experience from this lab, I now know how to design a functional experiment and how to change variables to answer questions.