INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN

SCIENCE

(SSI3013)

REPORT

DATA LOGGER

Name NOR FARHANA ADILIN BT BASRI

(D20152072043)
SYAZWANIE ADILA BT MAT YAZID
(D20152072023)
PUNITHA A/P NARAYANASAMY
(D20152072028)
Lecturer ENCIK AZMI BIN IBRAHIM

Group B

Date 26TH MARCH 2018

1
 LIST OF CONTENT

1.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………….……..…1-2

2.0 Engage
2.1 Method to measure the oxygen rate during photosynthesis …………………..2
3.0 Empower
3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………...3
3.2 Equipment ………………………………………………………………………… 3
3.3 Equipment setup …………………………………………………………………..4
3.4 Procedure …………………………………………………………………………..5
3.5 Result & Data analysis ……………………………………………………………5
3.6 Graph ……………………………………………………………………………….6
3.7 Questions………………………………………………………………………… 6-7
3.8 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………….7
4.0 Enhance
4.1 Importance of photosynthesis………………………………….……………….7-9
4.2 Unique features…………………………………………………………………….9
5.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………9
6.0 References …………………………………………………………………………….10

2
TITLE : MEASURING THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS RATE USING AN OXYGEN SENSOR

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Data logger is one of the technology that improving time by time in our country. It gives a lot
of advantages to our industries especially in educational field. For examples in science
experiment, data logger helps so much to us in collecting absolute data in a short period of time.
Data logger is an electronic device that can record data via external instruments or sensors. There
are many types of data logger that had been used in daily life. Data logger have many applications
such as to environmental monitoring, road traffic counting, unattended soil moisture level
recording, temperature, humidity and power for heating and air conditioning efficiency studies.

One of the data logger instrument that used for science experiment is oxygen sensor. The
instruments links to the computer which is the sensor will detect oxygen gas produce and transfer
the data to the interface and the then computer to process. The sensor will send the signal to an
interface box which connected to the computer. The interface box is to convert of analogue signal
to the computer. After that, the computer will take a reading according to set interval. Next, all the
reading will store in table-like spreadsheets and will go for further analysis which can displayed
as a graph. For this cases, the graph provided information about the production of oxygen gas
during the photosynthesis process.

The purpose of the sensor is to detect measure the rate of oxygen production of plant during
photosynthesis process occurred. The sensor will count the bubble produced from the plant to
measure the gas evolved over the period of time. So from that we know the photosynthesis rate
by controlling the variable such as the intensity of light. Besides, the oxygen sensor also can
monitor oxygen gas in indoor environments for climate control. From that we know that the
suitable and healthy environment to live. Next, the oxygen sensor also can give us quantitative
analysis for example in photosynthesis experiment which is it can provide us graph production of
oxygen. So we can simply see the incline and decline of oxygen rate during the photosynthesis
process of plant. From that we can predict the rate of photosynthesis of a specific plant with
control variables.

One of the application of oxygen sensor in science experiment especially at school is in

photosynthesis experiment. Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction which is plant will use the sun,

1
carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and energy. This experiment is very important
because to encourage student to think how plant life responds to different conditions such as light
intensity and pressure. We will use and aquatic plant to see the photosynthesis process. Student
will hypothesize which condition will produce higher rate of photosynthesis by see the production
of bubble in the test tube/beaker or jar.

2.0 ENGAGE
One of the experiment that used the data logger is to measure the amount of oxygen gas
produced by a plant during photosynthesis in presence of light and determine the rate of
respiration and photosynthesis of a plant. There are many types of method to measuring the
uptake of carbon dioxide, production of oxygen, measuring the production of carbohydrates and
measuring the increase in dry mass. The oxygen sensor will help to measure the oxygen during
the process occur. It will produce the graph production of oxygen to student that will be able to
them calculate the photosynthesis rate by different condition (control variable). From this
experiment, student can determine the factor that effect on the photosynthesis rate. For examples
the factor is light intensity. Without enough light, a plant cannot photosynthesize very quickly. Next
factor is carbon dioxide concentration which is sometimes photosynthesis is limited by the
concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. Last but not least is the temperature factor. If it gets too
cold, the rate of photosynthesis will decrease and it cannot happen in too hot condition. So, the
photosynthesis will only occur at optimum temperature.

This experiment also important to run because it will help student to understand what plant
need and how to adjust certain elements to make them thrive. For example, after finishing school,
they want to be a farmer so that they will know how to control their plant to make sure all of the
plant stay in healthy condition. They will use their knowledge to increase crop growth in
greenhouses which they can use artificial light so make sure photosynthesis can continue beyond
daylight hours or in a higher light intensity. They also can use this knowledge to helps other in
improve gardening skill.

So photosynthesis experiment can be run in a laboratory school in a short period of time by

using oxygen sensor. The result from the sensor will explain us about the rate of photosynthesis
that occurred. Student and teacher will be able to use this technology to make sure the objective
of the photosynthesis experiment was achieved after they finish the experiment.

2
3.0 EMPOWER

3.1 Introduction
Photosynthesis provides food for most plant life on earth. This process uses the energy from light
to turn carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into carbohydrates and generates oxygen which is
released into the atmosphere. Light, the energy source for this process is absorbed by pigments
in photosynthetic organisms.

Under optimal conditions of carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature, the rate of
photosynthesis depends on the light intensity absorbed by the photosynthetic parts of the
organism. Light intensity at different distances from a light source is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance.
𝟏
I=
𝒓𝟐

Where:
I = The light intensity.
r = The distance from the light source.
In this experiment the light intensity is modified by placing the light source at different distances
from the experimental system

3.2 Equipment
 MiLAB and einstein™LabMate
 Oxygen Sensor
 Light Sensor (triple range)
 20 g of fresh Elodea
 Bright light source (e.g. 150 W Halogen lamp)
 250 ml transparent glass Erlenmeyer flask
 Stopper with a hole in it that fits the Oxygen Sensor or a stopper with a hole and modeling
clay (Optional – two holes, one for a Temperature Sensor).
 Bright light source (e.g. 150 W Halogen lamp)
 About 1 liter of tap water

3
 Magnetic stirrer and stir bar
 One liter flat water bottle (glass or plastic) or tissue culture bottle (heat filter)
 Optional Temperature Sensor (-40 °C to 140 °C)

3.3 Equipment Setup

1. Launch MiLAB ( ).
2. Connect the Oxygen (DO2) Sensor, the Light Sensor and the Temperature Sensor to ports
on the einstein™ Tablet or einstein™ LabMate.
3. Assemble the equipment as illustrated in Figure 1.
a. The system consists of a 250 ml transparent glass Erlenmeyer flask, containing tap
water and fresh Elodea (about 20 g) with a stir bar in the flask.
b. b. The flask is placed on a magnetic stirrer. Using the stand, carefully place the Oxygen
Sensor electrode in the flask, near to the stir bar at the bottom. (Optional – a
Temperature Sensor can be placed in the flask).
c. c. The Erlenmeyer flask must be totally sealed to prevent oxygen leakage. For more
information on sealing see: Sealing

4
 d. d. The Light Sensor is placed near the flask to measure the level of light to which the
Elodea is exposed.
e. Use a 150 Watt reflection lamp as a light source. Place it 25 cm from the flasks.
f. In order to prevent heating the flask, a flat 1 liter water bottle is placed between the light
source and the flask.
4.4. In the Current Setup Summary window choose Full Setup and use the table below to set up
the experiment. Make sure that only the Oxygen, Light and Temperature Sensors are
selected under Measurements.

3.4 Procedure
1. Tap Run ( ) to begin recording data.
2. Switch on the light and begin stirring and observe the oxygen (DO2) concentration level.
3. Tap Stop ( ) to stop collecting data.
4. Save your data by tapping Save ( ).

3.5 Result and Data Analysis

1. Check the rate of change of the DO2 level by selecting one point at the beginning of the
graph and one point at the end of the graph. Then select Linear fit from the Function
dropdown menu. The fit equation will be displayed below the x-axis.

Oxygen DO2 mg/L

Rate: 10.756 Every 1 Sec

Duration : 2450 5000 Sec
Light (0-150Klux)
Rate: 550 Every 1 Sec
Duration : 2450 5000 Sec
Temperature (-40°C to 140°C)
Rate: 82.5 Every 1 Sec
Duration : 2450 5000 Sec

3.6 Graph
An example of the graph obtained in this experiment is shown below:

5
 3.7 Question
1. How is light intensity modified in this experiment?
The light intensity is modified in this experiment by increase the rate of intensity

2. Describe the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

The amount of light will affect the rate of photosynthesis. If there is no light, there will be no
photosynthesis. As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis will increase as long
as other factors are in adequate supply. As the rate increases, eventually another factor will
come into short supply

3. Does the rate depend on light intensity in the whole range of intensities examined?
Yes, the rate depends on light intensity in the whole range of intensities examined. It is
because any change in the level of a limiting factor will affect the rate of reaction.
4. Define the range of intensities in which light is a limiting factor.

6
 The range of intensities in which light is a limiting factors absorbs energy most efficiently at
700 nm and PSII at 680 nm. Light with a higher proportion of energy concentrated in these
wavelengths will produce a higher rate of photosynthesis.

5. What can be the effect of a temperature rise in the Erlenmeyer flask during the experiment?
When the temperature rise in the Erlenmeyer flask during the experiment light dependent
reactions of photosynthesis are not affected. Because it will not affect by any changes in
temperature. the light independent reactions of photosynthesis are dependent on
temperature. They are reactions catalyzed by enzymes. As the enzymes approach their
optimum temperatures the overall rate increases. It approximately doubles for every 10 °C
increase in temperature. Above the optimum temperature the rate begins to decrease, as
enzymes are denatured, until it stops.

3.8 Conclusion
As a conclusion the rate of photosynthesis is depends on the limiting factors. Which is the main
factors affecting rate of photosynthesis are light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and
temperature. As the light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases. However, the
rate will not increase beyond a certain level of light intensity.

4.0 ENHANCE

4. 1 Importance of photosynthesis process.

Plants make sugar, storing the energy of the sun as chemical energy, by the process of
photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis involves the use of light energy to convert carbon
dioxide and water into sugar, oxygen, and other organic compounds. This process is often
summarized by the following reaction:

6H2O + 6CO2 + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

All organisms, including plants and animals, oxidize glucose for energy. Often, this energy is used
to convert ADP and phosphate into ATP.

7
 The role of plants in the conversion of light energy into chemical energy is required to fix
carbon dioxide into the simple sugar glucose and the subsequent release of oxygen into the
environment. In this photosynthesis experiment, we use a O2 sensor to measure the amount of
oxygen gas produced by a plant during photosynthesis in the presence of light intensity. There
are many factors which may influence the rate of photosynthesis. One of the factors is light
intensity.

What would happened if the plant did not received enough light intensity for the
photosynthesis? At low light intensities, one would expect the rate of photosynthesis to be low
due to the level of available light energy. However, as light intensity increases, the rate of the
light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis would increase. The more photons of light that fall
upon a leaf, the greater the number of chlorophyll complexes stimulated resulting in an increase
in the formation of chemical energy which are ATP and NADPH generated during the light
reactions of photosynthesis. The light dependent reactions rely upon light as an energy source
and to some degree are not affected by changes in temperature. The process of photosynthesis
creates by products that are released into the atmosphere. Oxygen is actually a waste product of
photosynthesis and released into the atmosphere. By using oxygen sensor, we are able to
measure the amount of oxygen that have been released by the plants to atmosphere in the
presence of light. Light intensity is one of the factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis.
During this investigation we will explore the rate of photosynthesis under varying light intensities.
Light is a limiting factor in that when the light intensity becomes too low, the light dependent
reactions of photosynthesis will slow. The optical dissolved oxygen sensor will be used to
determine the concentration of dissolved oxygen under specific environmental conditions

Apart of producing atmospheric gases, green plants are also called as producers because they
produce all their own food from the raw materials around them via photosynthesis. Animals and
humans on the other hand are consumers and all the food they eat comes directly or indirectly
from plants. Most of the world’s population obtains more than 80% of their food directly from plants
in form of rice, potatoes, wheat and corn. The remaining source comes from animals and these
animals are part of the food chain which always begins with plants.

Plants contain a tremendous scope of chemicals which are separated and utilized as a part of the
medicines. Aspirin the drug used as a pain reliever and to reduce blood clotting in heart patients
is derived from salicylic acid, a chemical extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Much stronger

8
pain killers (analgesic drugs) such as morphine and codeine are produced from opium, the dried
sap derived from the seeds of the poppy plant. To date the quantity of plants tried for therapeutic
properties number just in their thousands and yet an immense number to be tried including a large
number of the species sourced from the tropical rainforests. The unknown medicinal properties
of these plant species adds to the importance of protecting natural habitats such as rainforests.

4. 2 Unique features of the photosynthesis and oxygen sensor.

The oxygen sensor and the photosynthesis has many unique feature.
 The warm up time is less than 5 seconds.
 No calibration is required
 It is low maintenance - no filling solution or electrode polishing
 There is a built-in temperature and pressure compensation
 No flow dependency
 The response time is less than 30 seconds
 The operating temperature range is between 0-50 °C

5.0 Conclusion
From the whole experiment by using data logger it will be easier for us to collect the accurate data
and it will reduce the error of reading if we compared to the manual way because each of these
experiments are quick and easy to set up. Then, by using this device we can generate data into
the graph directly. Besides time intervals for collecting data can be very frequent and regular, for
example hundreds of measurements per second can be collected at the same time. By using
these kind of device students can increase the skills on handling the equipment and give an
experience to them. It is very important because it help students to increase their understanding
on the experiment due to the accurate data logging.

9
6.0 References

William V. Glider and Peter Thew. Measurement of Rates of Aerobic Respiration and
Photosynthesis in Terrestrial Plant Leaves Using Oxygen Sensors and Data Loggers.
Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching Proceedings of the Association for Biology
Laboratory Education Vol. 34, 166-186, 2013

http://www.passmyexams.co.uk/GCSE/biology/importance-of-photosynthesis.html

http://www2.vernier.com/sample_labs/BWV-31C-COMP-photosynthesis_resp_CO2_O2.pdf

10