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Research Topic:
The impact of varying wavelengths and light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.
Research Question:
What effect do the wavelength of light (700-635 nm, 590-560 nm, 560-520 nm, 490-450
nm) and the light intensity (30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm) have on the rate of photosynthesis
Word count-3999
Date-May, 2020
1
Table of Contents
Research Question:........................................................................................................6
Introduction......................................................................................................................6
Process of photosynthesis:..................................................................................................6
Light energy:.......................................................................................................................... 7
Variables.........................................................................................................................14
Independent Variable:......................................................................................................... 14
Dependent Variable:............................................................................................................ 14
Control Variable:.................................................................................................................. 14
Hypothesis.....................................................................................................................16
Methodology..................................................................................................................16
2
Setting up the apparatus-....................................................................................................17
Results............................................................................................................................18
Evaluation......................................................................................................................23
Results.................................................................................................................................. 23
Procedure............................................................................................................................. 26
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................27
References.....................................................................................................................30
Appendices....................................................................................................................34
3
Research Question:
What effect do the wavelength of light (700-635 nm, 590-560 nm, 560-520 nm, 490-450
nm) and the light intensity (30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm) have on the rate of photosynthesis
Introduction
Process of photosynthesis:
Photosynthesis1 is the process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria to harness
energy from sunlight and turn it into chemical energy. The equation for the process is:
6 CO 2+12 H 2 O → C6 H 12 O 6 +6 O 2+ 6 H 2 O
This process take place in the presence of light source and chlorophyll. There are
various processes taking place while photosynthesis is happening, such as the light
1
Cornell, Brent. “Photosynthesis.” BioNinja, 2016, ib.bioninja.com.au/higher-level/topic-
8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/photosynthesis.html.
4
Light energy:
mean that the distance between the trough of one wave to the other is varies in different
light waves. Less energy is possessed by the waves which have longer wavelengths.
appears white from the sun but actually consists of various wavelengths of light. When
the light is passed through a prism a band of light could be observed, with red having
the longest wavelength and the least energy and violet having the shortest wavelength
2
“Wavelengths of Light and Photosynthetic Pigments (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan
Academy, www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-light-dependent-
reactions-of-photosynthesis/a/light-and-photosynthetic-pigments.
5
Light exhibits the properties of both wave and particle. When light particles are known
as photons which has a certain amount of energy. Waves with long wavelength have
During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy by the various
photosynthetic organisms. As there are various lights, with different wavelengths, the
photosynthetic organisms could not do it on its own and require different types of
pigments 3to do so. These photosynthetic organisms contain these pigments which use
these to absorb certain wavelengths of light only and reflecting the other ones.
There are three key pigments which h are used in photosynthesis, which are chlorophyll
a, chlorophyll b and β−¿carotene4. The colors which are reflected are the colors which
are not absorbed by the pigments and the rest of the colors are absorbed. The picture
3
“Structural Role of Carotenoids in Photosynthetic Membranes.” Structural Role of
1996-51c-0763.pdf.
4
“Wavelengths of Light and Photosynthetic Pigments (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan
Academy, www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-light-dependent-
reactions-of-photosynthesis/a/light-and-photosynthetic-pigments.
6
Figure 2: Absorption spectra of various pigments.
From the above diagrams we could observe that how these pigments would absorb only
which chlorophyll a and b are the most common type of chlorophyll found in plants.
Seen from the diagram chlorophyll pigments absorb red and blue wavelengths from the
absorption spectrum. Structurally, it is hydrophobic from its tail which inserts into the
thylakoid and has a porphyrin ring on its head which absorbs the light.
Both chlorophyll a and b absorb light and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, but not
all plants necessarily have chlorophyll b present in them whereas any organism which
7
photosynthesizes necessarily have chlorophyll a in them. Therefore, all the pigments
which are present in the plants other than chlorophyll a are known as accessory
pigments. The use of these accessory pigments increases the range of the wavelength
Carotenoids: From the above diagram we could see that how this pigment absorbs
violet and blue-green light. These are used to color the fruits and flowers and attract
various animals towards it. Other than assisting in photosynthesis it plays a major role in
getting rid of the extra light as well. When light is incident on the leaves, a huge amount
of energy is given off, which can spoil the photosynthetic machinery, and to avoid that
There are various factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis, the major ones being:
1) The wavelength of light5- Aforementioned, it was seen that how Chlorophyll A and B
along with carotenoids are very efficient in absorbing blue and red light. The most
absorbed light according to the pigments presents in the plant should be blue thereafter
it should be red.
5
Allott, Andrew. “Effect of Wavelength on Photosynthesis.” 8.2 Lecture Notes, 7 Nov.
2016, blog.canacad.ac.jp/bio/BiologyIBHL1/1121.html.
8
Figure 4: Effectiveness of photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light.
2) Intensity of light6- Light which is incident on the leaves are absorbed by the
chlorophyll, which converts light energy into chemical energy. When the intensity of light
chlorophyll get activated. After certain time the rate of photosynthesis would not
increase any further as all the chlorophyll present in the leaves are exposed to the light
and therefore the reaction would be saturated and no further increase in rate of reaction
would occur.
6
Cornell, Brent. “Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis.” BioNinja, 2016,
ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-2-molecular-biology/29-photosynthesis/limiting-
factors.html.
9
Figure 5: Effect of light intensity on rate of photosynthesis.
When light strikes and is absorbed by the pigments, the photons become excited which
means they have gained some energy and at a subatomic level, the term excited refers
to the electrons which shift to higher energy levels after gaining extra energy.
The photons with the right amount of energy can excite the pigments which are present
in the leaves. This is the reason why the pigments absorb selective wavelengths only.
10
These excited pigments are not stable and need some way to stabilize. This is done by
transferring the extra energy to the adjacent molecule in the form of electrons which
withstand different condition making the plant ideal for growth. These plants do not
require much maintenance as they are hardy plants which could survive different
conditions. In this setup it is grown in water because it is grown inside a glass vessel
which does not have any holes at the bottom for the flow of the excessive water out of
the soil. The retention of water for a long duration in the soil results in the wearing away
of the plant. Whereas growing it in water is more convenient because it requires less
maintenance, i.e., only changing the water of the vessel every week.
Photosynthesis is the process of food production by the plants, this has always intrigues
me whether increasing the rate of photosynthesis would assist in plant growth or not.
Hydroponics7 is method of plant growth using water or nutrient liquid rather than the
conventional soil. This method assists in plant growth as incase of plants which are
planted in soil, the nutrient provided by nutrient go to the soil rather than to the plants
but when they are grown in water or nutrient liquid, the nutrient provided is absorbed by
7
“What Is Hydroponics? - A Simple Introduction.” Explain That Stuff, 5 Jan. 2019,
www.explainthatstuff.com/hydroponics.html.
11
the plants directly therefore assisting plant growth. From this experiment, I would like to
check whether different factors affecting rate of photosynthesis, i.e., wavelength of light
and intensity of light, affect the rate of growth in plants which are grown using
hydroponics.
Variables
Independent Variable:
Independent
Value which were used How It was Varied
Variable
The color of the light was varied
by using cellophane papers of
700-635 nm, 590-560 nm,
Color of Light different colors (red, blue, green,
560-520 nm, 490-450 nm.
yellow).
As the intensity distance-1,
therefore when the distance
between the object and light
Intensity of Light 30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm.
increases the light intensity
decreases.
Dependent Variable:
Dependent
How it was calculated
Variable
A setup was put up in dark where Syngonium podophyllum was
placed a closed container with one outlet for the CO 2 sensor.
The initial amount of CO2 would be measured and then the light
source was switched on for ten minutes and then it was be
switched off. After a while, when the CO2 level stabilizes in the
Rate of
container the light source was shifted a little behind and again
Photosynthesis
the CO2 level was calculated. The following steps are to be
taken for three distances and for four different colors of light.
12
Control Variable:
How it would be
Control Variable Importance of Controlling
controlled
If the light is incident for more time
The duration of the time
the amount of photosynthesis which
for which the light would
takes place would be greater
incident on the plant would
therefore the volume of CO2
be for ten minutes and to
present in the system would be less
ensure this, a digital
Duration whereas the volume would be
chronometer would be
greater when the light would be
used.
incident for a lesser duration
This process requires water to carry
forward. If there is no water the
Using a 200 cm3
reactions would not take place and
volumetric flask, 200 cm3
Water therefore there might be some
of water would be added.
faults with the readings.
Different plants have different rate
of photosynthesis even if they
The same plant would be belong to the species due to which
Plant for Readings used for all the readings. the same plant should be used for
the experiment.
While the experiment If there is some other source of
would be conducted, the light, it could hasten the process of
Darkness room in which it would be photosynthesis causing major
conducted would be changes in the amount of CO2
completely dark. decreased in the system.
In the experiment the intensity of
The light bulb used for this light would be varied by shifting the
Light Bulb experiment was the same position of the plants rather than
throughout with a power of changing the power supply of the
100 watts. bulb, therefore a constant power
light bulb is required.
As photosynthesis is an enzyme
All the experiments were involving chemical reaction,
conducted in an therefore as the temperature
Temperature airconditioned increases the rate of
environment because of photosynthesis increases up till 40°
which the temperature C after which the enzyme
was the same throughout. denatures, and no photosynthesis
would take place.
13
Hypothesis
The rate of photosynthesis would vary significantly when different wavelengths of lights
are incident which have different intensity. As from the above explanation we could see
that how the increase in the intensity would increase the rate of photosynthesis and
Methodology
14
2)Take a small cutting using a paper cutter of Syngonium podophyllum having some
outgrown roots.
3)Take a glass vessel and add some water and then the plant with the roots submerged
in water.
5)Take a measuring tape and mark three points each at a distance of 30 cm (in line with
6)Place the glass vessel with the plant on the red tape.
10)Take the (light source) and cover it with a cellophane paper and place it on the green
tape closest to the plant facing the direction of light towards the plant with all the lights
switched off.
11)Place the CO2 sensor in the space provided and switch it on.
13)Take some Vaseline and put it all around the base and around the hole of the CO 2
sensor too let no air pass through changing the amount of CO 2 inside the system.
14)Once the ninety second are over, turn on the light source and plot the graph of the
15
15)Set a stopwatch of ten minutes.
16)Once the ten minutes are over, turn off the light and analyze the graph and take
17)Let the plant rest for some time and repeat the steps 13-15 three times.
18)Now place the light source on the remaining green tape spot and repeat steps 13-15.
19)Change the cellophane paper after all the readings are taken and repeat steps 13-17
20)Repeat steps 13-18 for the remaining colors (red, blue and yellow) of cellophane
paper.
Results
16
Figure 10: Graph of yellow light 30 cm away from the plant(Reading 1).
Figure 11: Graph of yellow light 30 cm away from the plant(Reading 2).
17
Figure 12: Graph of yellow light 30 cm away from the plant(Reading 3).
18
Table 5: The initial and final level of CO2 in the system when yellow light is incident.
=10684 – 10836
= -142
I have used ANOVA method of two factor with replication to analyze the data and test
my hypothesis. A two way ANOVA evaluates the impact of two variables on a sole
19
response variable. In the experiment that was conducted, the rate of photosynthesis
(dependent variable) was affected by the wavelength of light and the intensity of light
(independent variable). Therefore, this method of hypothesis testing is ideal for this
Null Hypothesis:
The rate of photosynthesis would not vary significantly when different wavelengths and
20
21
Evaluation
Results
From the processed data we could observe that the rate of photosynthesis when the
plants are moved away from the light source decreases as the CO 2 in the glass vessel
does not decrease as significantly as when the plant was the closest to the light source.
The mean value of CO2 drop at 30 cm was −302.08333 where at 90 cm it was 152.5.
From this results we could observe that how the CO 2 level dipped when the plants were
closest to the light source and how they maximised the rate of photosynthesis, whereas
plants were respiring as the CO 2 level inside the glass vessel increased. From this
observation we get to know that as the intensity of light increases the rate of
photosynthesis increases and as the intensity decreases the rate decreases as well.
From this we get to know the direct relation between the intensity of light and rate of
reaction.
It could be observed that at different wavelengths of light, the average CO 2 level in the
glass vessel varied. The highest rate of photosynthesis was possessed by blue light in
whereas yellow light displayed the lowest rate of photosynthesis that is 1624.11111
units of CO2 added inside the glass vessel as the plants were respiring instead of
photosynthesizing under this light. Red light showed the second highest rate of
the third place by respiring and adding 242.111111units of CO 2 into the glass vessel.
22
Though the processed data shows that as the intensity of light increases, the rate of
photosynthesis increases and that blue light would have the highest rate of
photosynthesis and green and yellow light will have lower rate of photosynthesis, which
proves the biological hypothesis is true because of the theory; but the statistical
hypothesis is not true as it is not giving significant results. Therefore the null hypothesis
The alternate hypothesis has been proven false for the data, as F< F crit. The p value is
the probability of obtaining test results and the α value is the is the statistical
significance which is the likelihood that the relation between two or more variables is
caused by something other than chances. To prove a statistic correct, the α > p−value.
Even the P−values of the data are greater than the α =0.05 which means that the data
does not have much significance thereby falsifying the alternate hypothesis.
23
Graph 1: Bar graph representing average difference of CO 2 and the color of light.
24
10000
8000
6000
Average difference of Carbon dioxide
4000
2000
0
1 2 3 4
-2000
30 cm 60 cm 90 cm
In the above graph 1,2,3,4 represent yellow, green, red, blue colors respectively.
25
Procedure
Strengths Significance
As the light had to be incident on the leaves of the plant
Using a glass vessel directly, using a glass vessel made it easier and
convenient to incident the light without any obstruction.
Aforementioned, the vessel used for the experiment did
Plant which grows both in not have any holes so that excess water could flow out
water and soil and water of the vessel so a plant which grew in both soil and
as a medium of plant water was used so that the issue of excess water
growth drainage is removed and the plant could grow inside the
water without decaying.
As the experiment were to be done in a dark room, and
Conducting experiment in
for that purpose I used the procurement room, adjacent
a dark room.
to lab.
26
Table 9: Continued
27
Conclusion
In conclusion, wavelength of light and the intensity of light does not have a significant
impact on the rate of photosynthesis statistically but it does have an impact biologically
and even experimentally the rate of photosynthesis changed at different light intensities
and wavelengths, but statistically my data has proven that the null hypothesis is true
and I could not discard the null hypothesis, whereas my alternative hypothesis is false.
The lack of secondary data in this situation might have made this experiment have a
There were various reasons that might have caused the hypothesis to be proven false.
Firstly, the most important factor is that only three readings were taken for each
distance and color of light. The lack of primary data has caused this experiment to have
a huge uncertainty. As the experiment required an air tight container from which no air
could be exchanges, this factor might have caused the highest error as there was no
way by which I could have surely confirmed that the container was completely air tight;
even the apparatus used for the experiment was partially faulty. The light lamp used
would stop working in between because it could emit a lot of heat because of which the
socket in which the bulb was plugged at burnt because of this the systematic error was
high. One of the greatest factor that might have caused this was that the secondary
data which was available only talk about either light intensity or wavelength individually
but no experiment was conducted with both in consideration, because of which no trend
with some secondary data could be observed. Lastly, the factor that has caused a lot of
errors is that once the plants would undergo photosynthesis and have produced
28
sufficient amount of glucose, the plants would not photosynthesize any further causing
I have full confidence on my results and am content with the results that even though
the statistics proved the hypothesis false a particular trend was observed experimentally
and was observed in the desired trend in which greater the intensity greater the rate of
photosynthesis even with red and blue lights and the lowest with yellow then green light
at the furthest distance. From this we observed that how photosynthesis was affected
by wavelength and intensity of light but was not significant. A further research could be
conducted by researchers dwelling further on this research paper, where they could use
methodology avoiding all the factors that has cause this experiment to be a failure.
From the further research conducted by the researcher doing it, they can comment on
29
References
metabolism-cell/untitled-2/chloroplast.html.
metabolism-cell/untitled-2/calvin-cycle.html.
level/topic-8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/light-independent-reactions.html.
level/topic-8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/photophosphorylation.html.
level/topic-8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/light-dependent-reactions.html.
metabolism-cell/untitled-2/photosynthesis.html.
openoregon.pressbooks.pub/mhccmajorsbio/chapter/8-3-the-two-parts-of-
photosynthesis-light-dependent-reactions/.
30
Yahia, Elhadi M., and Armando Carrillo-López. Postharvest Physiology and
2017, www.hunker.com/13415641/materials-that-reduce-heat-transfer.
ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-2-molecular-biology/29-photosynthesis/limiting-
factors.html.
2018,
www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/articles/one-way-vs-two-way-anova-
definition-differences-assumptions-and-hypotheses-306553.
stats.idre.ucla.edu/spss/whatstat/what-statistical-analysis-should-i-usestatistical-
analyses-using-spss/.
www.statisticshowto.datasciencecentral.com/probability-and-statistics/f-statistic-value-
test/#ANOVA
31
Finch, H. J. S., et al. Lockhart & Wisemans Crop Husbandry: Including Grassland. 9th
sciencing.com/importance-pigments-photosynthesis-6461024.html.
ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss3/pigments.html.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1751-1097.1996.tb03022.x.
2016, blog.canacad.ac.jp/bio/BiologyIBHL1/1121.html.
colour-on-the.php?vref=1>.
2019, www.vedantu.com/physics/wavelength-of-light.
32
Kirschbaum, Miko U.F. “Does Enhanced Photosynthesis Enhance Growth? Lessons
1996-51c-0763.pdf.
Academy, www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-light-
dependent-reactions-of-photosynthesis/a/light-and-photosynthetic-pigments.
www.explainthatstuff.com/hydroponics.html.
33
Appendices
30cm:
Blue Light:
34
Reading One:
35
Reading Two:
Reading 3:
36
Red light:
37
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
38
Reading 3:
Yellow light:
Reading 1:
39
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
40
Green light:
Reading 1:
41
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
60cm
42
Blue light:
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
43
Reading 3:
Red light:
Reading 1:
44
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
45
Yellow light:
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
46
Reading 3:
47
Green light:
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
48
Reading 3:
90cm
49
Blue light:
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
50
Red light:
Reading 1:
51
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
52
Green light:
Reading 1:
53
Reading 2:
Reading 3:
54
Yellow light:
Reading 1:
Reading 2:
55
Reading 3:
56
Appendix 1.2: Raw Data
30 cm
Green light 30 cm
Initial level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
15781 15751 30
10043 9951 -92
9432 9158 -247
Blue light 30 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
9402 9524 122
9371 9371 0
40354 37851 -2503
Red light 30 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
3724 3816 92
3327 3388 61
24908 24084 -824
60 cm
Yellow light 60 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
10714 10409 -305
10104 9737 -365
16850 16392 -458
Green light 60 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
366 15140 14774
14438 14164 -274
57
2961 3236 275
Blue light 60 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
9585 9402 -183
9371 9127 -244
37118 34860 -2258
Red light 60 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
3571 3388 -183
3419 3388 -31
23718 22161 -1557
90 cm
Yellow light 90 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
8425 10317 1892
16117 17857 1740
16239 16178 -61
Green light 90 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
13553 13614 61
13462 13400 -62
3236 3388 152
Blue light 90 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
9371 9310 -61
58
9188 9035 -153
34585 33425 -1160
Red light 90 cm
Initial Level of CO2 Final Level of CO2 Difference
3449 3327 -122
3388 3724 336
22222 21490 -732
59