Internal Assessment Lab: Photosynthesis

Elaura Ligon
December 2, 2013

Background:
In reference to the use of sodium bicarbonate to affect the rate of photosynthesis, a
recent experiment done by Caitlin Neu and a group of her peers had tested the effect of the
amount of sodium bicarbonate on photosynthesis while using bundles of spinach leaves.
According to their experiment, not only did the sodium bicarbonate increase the carbon
dioxide in the water but it had also protected the plant from variations of temperature
changes. As part of their conclusion, the sodium bicarbonate had increased the carbon dioxide
concentration and the rate of photosynthesis had also increased because of the change in
carbon dioxide concentration. However, since Neu and her peers had used spinach, a plant
that is typically grown in soil, I had decided to change my experiment to accommodate
aquatic plants such as the Mexican Water Lily.
The Mexican Water Lily is an aquatic plant that is also an invasive species in Florida
since it was brought over in the early 2000s from other parts of the United States and
overseas where the water is warmer and can better suit the needs of the plant species. This
plant in particular grows much like typical water lilies grow, and the stomata of the plant are
found at the underside of the lily pads that float along the top of the water. Because of this,
the rate of photosynthesis is not only dependent on the light intensity but the components of
the water that the plant inhabits. With the addition of sodium bicarbonate as a source of
carbon dioxide, the rate of photosynthesis will be changed as the carbon dioxide
concentration is changed from what it originally was in the plants natural habitat.
Design:
Question: Does an increase in carbon dioxide concentration positively or negatively affect the
rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants?
Hypothesis: Based on research done for this experiment, I hypothesize that an increase in
carbon dioxide will positively affect the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants until the
maximum efficiency is reached.
Variables:
o Independent Variable: The carbon dioxide concentration in the water.
o Dependent Variables: Amount of water used (mL), weight of each plant leaf used (g),
water pH level, water salinity (measured by the NaCl standard of 1000 S/cm), water
temperature (Celsius), the amount of sodium bicarbonate used in each trial (grams),
the time taken for a reaction to occur (seconds).
o Controlled Variables: Temperature (between 21.1C and 24.4C based on air handling
system controls), type of water used (water originally collected at the site of plant
extraction), light (the experiment was conducted inside at midday with the lab room
lights on), and the change in carbon dioxide levels (through the addition of sodium
bicarbonate.

Materials:

Undamaged Mexican Water Lily plants

200mL of water from the original habitat of the Mexican Water Lilies
1 small petri dish used for scale measurements
(5) 50mL beakers used for plant containment
6g of Sodium Bicarbonate to use to effect carbon dioxide levels
pH Balance testing kit to determine water pH level
Electric scale to determine weight of the sodium bicarbonate
Texas Instrument TI-Inspire CX used to test salinity
Conductivity probe for the TI-Inspire CX to determine salinity
NaCl Solution of 1000 S/cm to compare water salinity to the standard water salinity
A stirrer and a scalpel for basic needs within the experiment

Lab Setup:

Procedure:
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

Gather (5) 50mL beakers and measure out 40mL of the original water to put into each
beaker.
Use the conductivity probe and the TI-Inspire CX to determine the salinity of the
water (in this case, the salinity of the water was 41.4% compared to the NaCl standard
of 1000 S/cm (414 S/cm of 1000 S/cm)
Also, take a pH test of the water to ensure that the pH is not too high or too low for it
may affect the results of your experiment (the pH level of my water was 8).
Once both tests are completed, weigh the desired amount of sodium bicarbonate for
each trial on the electric scale using the small petri dish. (There is a possible .01g
measurement error when using the scale).
Stir the solution to incorporate the sodium bicarbonate with the water.

6. Measure out individual leaves/pads from your aquatic plant and make sure they are all
within .1g of the same weight, otherwise the effects of your experiment on your plants
could change based on the difference in weight.
7. Place the leaves of the plant on top of the water with the underside facing downward
and then start the timer for 15-20 minutes depending on the extent of your experiment
and your desired outcome.
8. Document your observations and take note on any changes taking place during your
experiment, making sure that you are counting the bubbles that are appearing with
optimum accuracy.
9. Repeat the above steps for the remaining 4 or more trials. Make sure to note any
difference taking place on the underside of the leaf as well as in the surrounding
container. If any additional activity takes place, make note of it in the conclusion of
your observational data.

Data Collection and Processing:

Raw Data Table: Approximated amount of bubbles present for each trial after 10 minutes
*There is a possible 1 count error on the amount of bubbles per trial
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5

Control (0g/40mL)
1
0
2
2
3

0.5g/40mL
6
10
9
5
8

1.0g/40mL
15
12
17
16
13

1.5g/40mL
25
21
30
26
28

2.0g/40mL
26
28
30
31
24

Overview:
In the processed graph and data table in the next section, I found it best to use a single
line graph to show the increase in the rate of photosynthesis upon reaching the maximum
efficiency. The data is processed to reveal the average rate of photosynthesis over a 15 minute
period for 5 separate trials, and each group of trials indicates the amount of sodium
bicarbonate per 40mL of water being tested.
Sample Calculation:
In order to make my data more useful for interpretation, I averaged the 5
measurements I collected together and set the error bar margin of error to 1 bubble to
account for the possible 5% inaccuracy during the counting of the bubbles for each trial. For
example, while calculating the data for the (0.5g/40mL trial group, I processed this data:
6 + 10 + 9 + 5 + 8 = 38

38 5 = 7.6 8 bubbles (with possible error of 1)

Presentation: (Data Table + Graph)

Rate of Photosynthesis

Amount of Bubbles

0g/40mL

0.5g/40mL

1.0g/40mL

1.5g/40mL

2.0g/40mL

Final Average per Sodium Bicarbonate Concentration

Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Based on the data collected during my experiment, there is evidence that supports my
hypothesis based on the shape of the graph that was created and the averages that were
calculated. In comparison to Neus spinach experiment where they were hypothesizing a
general increase in the rate of photosynthesis, my experiment does prove that the rate of
photosynthesis will increase with an increase in carbon dioxide concentration until the point
of maximum efficiency, at which point the efficiency would begin to plateau as seen in the
graph. This is noticeable in the different increase values between the averages that were
calculated; the larger increases in values had happened between the 0.5g/40mL group and the
1.5g/40mL group whereas between 1.5g/40mL and 2.0g/40mL there was a very small amount
of change. If 3 or 4 more trial groups had been tested preceding the 2.0g/40mL you would
notice that the averages would continue to get closer together and a plateau in the curve of the
graph would be more noticeable.
Limitations of Experimental Design:
During this experiment, the experimental design implemented worked well for the
data being collected from the experiment. The equipment used worked well in relation to the
simplicity of the setup, and the process required for the collection of data was made simple as
well. However, there were very distinct limitations found in this experiment that could have

created a more accurate collection of data than the data that was processed. For example, the
collection of data taking place had happened within a 50 minute time period and the trial
times were only 10 minutes long. Also, if a more efficient method of calculating an increase
in the rate of photosynthesis was available, counting bubbles to indicate increases in
photosynthesis is not as accurate as the other possible methods. The water that was collected
for the experiment could have also affected the experiment because of the 41.4% salinity
(based on the NaCl standard of 1000 S/cm) and the pH level of 8. Even though those values
are fairly neutral, they could still affect the outcome of an experiment.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Some possible suggestions for the previously stated limitations would be beneficial
for the experiment if it were to be duplicated in the future. In order to correct the issue of trial
times, conduct the experiment at a different time when you know that you will have more
than 50 minutes to do the experiment. To correct the issue with the accuracy of counting
bubbles, do more research on different methods of measuring the rate of photosynthesis and
fallow the procedure that entails the most accuracy so you can have less error. Also, in order
to decrease the possibility of other factors hindering your results in the experiment, you could
either find a location with water that tests at a neutral point before you conduct the
experiment, or you could possibly use distilled water to prevent salinity and pH from
affecting your experiment in general.

Sources Cited:
Adams, Karen F. "Photosynthesis." Photosynthesis. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
<http://mypages.iit.edu/~smile/bi9201.html>.
Neu, Caitlin, Anne Raisanen, Tessa Barth, and Zachary Brost. "The Effect of the Amount of
Sodium Bicarbonate (baking Soda) on Photosynthesis." Thesis. 2013. Print.