Carbon Dioxide as a Limiting Factor in photosynthesis

Practical 2 Limiting Factors

Skill: Planning and Designing

Title: Carbon dioxide as a limiting factor in photosynthesis

Problem statement: A biologist and a physicist are walking past the aquarium in
the temperature-controlled staff lounge of the engineering department when they
notice that the aquatic plants seem shorter than average. The physicist suggests
that the light intensity in the room might not be enough for maximum growth but
the biologist suspects that carbon dioxide may be limiting the rate of
photosynthesis. Plan and design an investigation to test the biologist’s hypothesis.

Date:14th October 2022

Title: Carbon dioxide as a limiting factor in photosynthesis

Problem statement: A biologist and a physicist are walking past the aquarium in
the temperature-controlled staff lounge of the engineering department when they
notice that the aquatic plants seem shorter than average. The physicist suggests
that the light intensity in the room might not be enough for maximum growth but
the biologist suspects that carbon dioxide may be limiting the rate of
photosynthesis. Plan and design an investigation to test the biologist’s hypothesis.

Hypothesis: Few effervescence would be present when low present when the
lowest the lowest of Sodium Bicarbonate(0.8%) concentration is added, so
therefore the carbondioxide concentration would be at its lowest potential. Most
effervescence would be present when the highest concentration of Sodium
Bicarbonate(2.3%) is added, so therefore the carbondioxide would be at its highest
potential.

Aim: To determine if carbondioxide (CO2) is a limiting factor in aquatic plant rate

of photosynthesis.

Apparatus/Materials: 1 measuring cylinder (100cm³), 4 test tubes, 4 (1000ml)

beakers, aquatic plant, small funnel, water, (200ml) Sodium bi-carbonate, labels,
stopwatch, scissors/ scalpel.
A LABELLED DIAGRAM OF APPARATUS/MATERIALS USED IN THIS EXPERIMENT

Method

1. Rinse the Apparatus carefully

2. With soap and water and dry them properly afterwards
3. Add approximately 500cm³ of water to a beaker and label it 0.8%
4. Add approximately 480cm³ of water to another beaker and label it 1.3%
5. Add approximately 460cm³ of water to another beaker and label it 1.8%
6. Add approximately 440cm³ of water to another beaker and label it 2.3%
7. Add 10cm³ of Sodium Bicarbonate carbonate to the 0.8% beaker. After
completing trial 2 and 3 of 0.8%, add 20cm³ of Sodium Bicarbonate to the
1.3% beaker. After completing trial 1-3 of 1.3%, add 30cm³ of Sodium
carbonate to the 1.8%. After completing trial 1-3 of 1.8%, add 40cm³ of
Sodium Bicarbonate to the 2.3% beaker.
8. Cut the aquatic plant across the stem. Place the cut section into the funnel
tube.
9. Invert the funnel and place it in the solution
10. Ensure that the funnel is completely under water or covered
11. Fill a test tube with water and cover it with thumb. Place the test tube over
the funnel.
12. Let it sit for 30 seconds
 13. After the 30 seconds, set a time for 2 minute and count the number bubbles
present during the duration
14. Repeat the experiment 2 more times. Repeat Method for concentration
1.3%,1.8%,2.3%
15. Record all results in a table

Variables

Independent: The amount of Sodium Bicarbonate added

Dependent: The number of effervescence of oxygen present

Controlled: Temperature, the plant size/height, volume of water added.

Expected results : The concentration of carbondioxide would be highest at 2.5% of

Sodium Bicarbonate. This would be shown due to the high average of bubbles.
1.8% and 1.3% would be moderate in the number of bubbles recorded. The
concentration of carbondioxide would be lowest at 0.8% of Bicarbonate. This
would be shown due to the low average of bubbles.

Treatment of results: A TTABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF TRIALS 1,2 AND 3

WITH THE SODIUM BICARBONATE CONCENTRATION AND AVERAGE NUMBER OF
BUBBLES
Inference

As carbondioxide concentrations increase, so too does the rate of photosynthesis.

At lower carbondioxide concentrations carbondioxide is a limiting factor because
an increase in carbondioxide causes an increase in photosynthesis.

If the highest average bubbles recorded is at 0.8% and the lowest is at 2.3%, then
the hypothesis is incorrect. If the highest average bubbles recorded is at 1.3% or
1.8%, the hypothesis is also incorrect. If the highest average bubbles recorded is at
2.3% and the lowest is at 0.8% , the hypothesis is correct.

Limitations

Light intensity may affect the photosynthesis rate

The bubbles may appear too quickly and a misconstrued may occur

Assumptions

The number of oxygen bubbles counted would be equivalent to the photosynthesis

rate

Temperature in the room is constant throughout the experiment

Format:

Date: (Due date should be placed here).

Title: (Please see above).

Problem statement: (Please see above).

Hypothesis: This is a statement of what the experimenter believes will happen. It

should be testable and logical suggesting a possible effect of a single variable.

Aim: Aim should be linked to the hypothesis

Apparatus/materials: Apparatus/materials listed

Method: Method should be presented in concise logical sequence. This should

include ways to ensure accuracy, precautions to be taken, consideration of range
for the manipulated variable and replication of the experiment. A diagram of the
set-up of the apparatus is NOT required but may be included. (The diagram can be
placed after the Apparatus section). A control group or experiment should also be
identified and described as appropriate.

Variables: Manipulated (independent); responding (dependent); controlled

variables (at least 3 should be identified)

Expected results: This should include a Statement of Expected Results including a

brief explanation for the results expected, as well as the format the results should
take (for e.g. if a table, then the table should be drawn inclusive of headings; if
graph, this should be drawn inclusive of headings and a plot of trend expected)

Inferences: These should be linked to the hypothesis.

Limitations/Assumptions: Possible limitations and/or assumptions suggested.