Continuing Professional Learning Course 2023

Learning Strand 2
Name:______________________ Division: ________________
Group Members: ______________________________________________________________

Activity 1
Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Overview
In this exercise, you will explore the different factors that affect photosynthesis using a
virtual simulation of iwantostudy.org

Learning Objectives:
 Investigate how the different factors affect the rate of photosynthesis

Background
Photosynthesis is a process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light
energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in organic molecules. This process is critical for
life on Earth as it provides the foundation for the food chain, and is responsible for producing the
oxygen we breathe.
The overall equation for photosynthesis is:

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

In other words, carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, are converted
into glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. This reaction takes place in the chloroplasts of plant
cells and involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent
reactions.
During the light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by pigments called
chlorophyll and other accessory pigments, which are located in the thylakoid membranes of the
chloroplasts. This energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen ions, which
generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate), two energy-rich molecules that are used in the next stage.
In the light-independent reactions (also known as the Calvin cycle), carbon dioxide is
fixed into glucose using the energy provided by ATP and NADPH. This process involves a series
of enzymatic reactions that take place in the stroma of the chloroplasts.
Overall, photosynthesis is a complex process that is crucial for life on Earth. It provides
the energy and building blocks for all living organisms and plays a critical role in regulating the
levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere.

Hypothesis:
Light and photosynthesis

What do you think is the relationship between light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis based
on the information above?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 Continuing Professional Learning Course 2023
Learning Strand 2

______________________________________________________________________________

Carbon dioxide and photosynthesis

What do you think is the relationship between the concentration of carbon dioxide and the rate of
photosynthesis based on the information above?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Procedure
1. Go to:
https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/biology/ejss_model_photosynthesis/
photosynthesis_Simulation.xhtml
2. Click the “expt 1 vary amount of light”
3. Adjust the intensity of light as indicated in Table 1. Hit play and collect data and
complete Table 1.
4. Click the “expt 2 vary amount of carbon dioxide”
5. Adjust the concentration of carbon dioxide as indicated in Table 2. Hit play and collect
data and complete Table 2.

Results and Discussion

Guide Questions

1. What does the bubbles represent?

2. How was the intensity of light varied in this exercise conducted?

3. What is the relationship between the amount of oxygen produced (observed as bubbles)
and light intensity?

4. If you were to increase the intensity of light indefinitely, would you expect the
production of oxygen to continue to increase at the same time? Explain.

Table 1. Intensity of Light and Number of Bubbles Produced

Intensity of Light Time Number of Bubbles
1 1 min
2 1 min
3 1 min
 Continuing Professional Learning Course 2023
Learning Strand 2
4 1 min
5 1 min
6 1 min

5. What trends did you observe when you increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in
the water?

6. What is the relationship between the amount of oxygen produced (observed as bubbles)
and carbon dioxide concentration?

Table 2. Concentration of Carbon Dioxide and Number of Bubbles Produced

Concentration of Carbon Dioxide Time Number of Bubbles
0.05 % 1 min
0.10 % 1 min
0.15 % 1 min
0.20 % 1 min
0.25 % 1 min
0.30 % 1 min

Conclusion

What generalizations can you draw out based from your findings?