Photosynthesis Virtual Lab
Found at: www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/LS12/LS12.html
Question: Which colors of the light spectrum are most important for plant growth?
Background: Photosynthesis is the process in which plants use light energy, water, and carbon
dioxide to produce food. Plants use the food they make for growth and for carrying out other life
processes.
Sunlight is the natural energy source for photosynthesis. While light from the sun is a mixture of all
colors of the light spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Light can either be absorbed
or reflected by substances called pigments. Most plants are green because the pigment chlorophyll
reflects green and yellow light and absorbs the other colors of the spectrum.
Objectives:
Carry out an experiment to determine which colors of the light spectrum are used in
photosynthesis as evidenced by plant growth.
Measure plant growth under lights of different colors of the spectrum.
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. Click the video button. Watch the animation to learn about how light affects photosynthesis.
Summarize the video below.
2. Why do plants generally appear green?
3. Hypothesis: Which part of the light spectrum causes the most plant growth and increased
photosynthesis, and which causes the least plant growth? Assume all other conditions other
than color of the light are the same for each seed as it grows.
Procedure:
On your screen, you should see 6 pots, broken into two groups. Under each pot is a box that allows
you to change the color of the light. In the middle, you can select the different seed types, and below
that you can access a ruler to measure the seeds. When you switch the light on, the simulation will
run for a “30 day” period, and you will be able to measure the plants. Follow the steps below to carry
out your experiment.
1. Click on “spinach” to fill each pot with spinach seeds.
2. Set the light under the first set of pots to red. Set the light under the second set to violet.
3. Switch the light switch button to “on” and wait for the simulation to run through.
4. Using the ruler, measure the height of each of the plants in the simulation, recording the data
below. Be sure that your measurements match the color of the light.
5. Reset the simulation. Repeat steps 1-4 with spinach seeds under blue, green, and orange light.
6. What are the variables for the experiment above?
What is the Independent Variable? ____________________________________________
What is the Dependent Variable? ______________________________________________
What are 2 Controlled Variables? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
SPINACH GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT
Light Color Growth of Plant 1 Growth of Plant 2 Growth of Plant 3 Average Height
Red
Violet
Blue
Green
Orange
7. Now, click on “radish” to fill each pot with radish seeds.
8. Set the light under the first set of pots to red. Set the light under the second set to violet.
9. Switch the light switch button to “on” and wait for the simulation to run through.
10. Using the ruler, measure the height of each of the plants in the simulation, recording the data
below. Be sure that your measurements match the color of the light.
11. Reset the simulation. Repeat steps 1-4 with radish seeds under blue, green, and orange light.
12. What are the variables for the experiment above?
What is the IV? _____________________________________________________
What is the DV? ____________________________________________________
What are 2 CV? _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
RADISH GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT
Light Color Growth of Plant 1 Growth of Plant 2 Growth of Plant 3 Average Height
Red
Violet
Blue
Green
Orange
13. Now, click on “Lettuce” to fill each pot with lettuce seeds.
14. Set the light under the first set of pots to red. Set the light under the second set to violet.
15. Switch the light switch button to “on” and wait for the simulation to run through.
16. Using the ruler, measure the height of each of the plants in the simulation, recording the data
below. Be sure that your measurements match the color of the light.
17. Reset the simulation. Repeat steps 1-4 with lettuce seeds under blue, green, and orange light.
18. What are the variables for the experiment above?
What is the IV? _____________________________________________________
What is the DV? ____________________________________________________
What are 2 CV? _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
LETTUCE GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT
Light Color Growth of Plant 1 Growth of Plant 2 Growth of Plant 3 Average Height
Red
Violet
Blue
Green
Orange
Graph your data - https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
Post Lab Questions/Analyzation:
1. Under which light source did the spinach grow the most? The least?
2. Under which light source did the radish grow the most? The least?
3. Under which light source did the lettuce grow the most? The least?
4. Overall, which light source would you say allows plants to undergo the most photosynthesis
and growth? And the least? Why is this so?
5. Analyze the results of your experiment. Did your data support your hypothesis? Explain. If you
conducted tests with more than one type of seed, explain any differences or similarities you
found among types of seeds.
6. Given that white light contains all colors of the spectrum, what growth results would you expect
under white light?
7. Why is it important to understand concepts such as photosynthesis? How is photosynthesis
essential for life on Earth?
Conclusion: Write a conclusion. Summarize the lab and explain the results that you found. (This must be at least a
paragraph).
_____________________________________________________________________________
