Purpose:
How does intensity and wavelength of light affect photosynthesis.
Hypothesis:
I think that the more intense the light, the more starch produced. I think that changing the wavelength will result in less starch. (Red is absorbed in the plant, but red is blocked by filter).
Materials:
2 Plants (with leaves)
Red Cellophane Test Tubes Scissors Lugol's Iodine |
Black Paper
Tape Petri Dish Paper Towels Tweezers |
Procedure:
1. Form a hypothesis about how the manipulation of variables will affect photosynthesis. Give reasoning.
2. Cover leaves with either black paper or red cellophane. Leave some leaves for control.
3. Wait one day for photosynthesis to occur.
4. Cut-off experimental and control leaves.
5. Extract chlorophyll with hot alcohol.
6. Rinse in water and place in petri dish.
7. Cover with iodine.
8. After a minute, remove and place on towel. Record color with assigned scale of (0-5).
2. Cover leaves with either black paper or red cellophane. Leave some leaves for control.
3. Wait one day for photosynthesis to occur.
4. Cut-off experimental and control leaves.
5. Extract chlorophyll with hot alcohol.
6. Rinse in water and place in petri dish.
7. Cover with iodine.
8. After a minute, remove and place on towel. Record color with assigned scale of (0-5).
Data/Results:
Data Analysis:
Our data showed that our Calendula and Coleus plants both photosynthesized more when under the filter. It also said that the black covered leaves photosynthesized the most of all. This contradicts both logic and scientific results. Our inaccurate data could be due to lack of organization, incorrect labeling, and possibly wrong procedure.
The data should have had the black covered leaf with the least amount of photosynthesis, the red with less than the control leaf, and the control eaf having the most photosynthesis occurring.
The data should have had the black covered leaf with the least amount of photosynthesis, the red with less than the control leaf, and the control eaf having the most photosynthesis occurring.
Reflection:
This project was short and easy when compared to our other experiments so far this year. However, our group was pretty dysfunctional--we had no organization and everyone was all over the place. The work load was unbalanced and we were very inefficient. In the future we could improve by focusing on work before play. We could also try mixing up groups. Overall, it was a refreshing break from the other projects though.