Effects of Varying Light Intensity on the Rate of Photosynthesis
Theoretical background
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into
chemical energy stored in glucose. Light intensity is one of the key factors influencing the rate of
photosynthesis. This relationship can be understood by examining how changes in light intensity
affect the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis Process Overview
Photosynthesis occurs in two stages:
1. Light-dependent reactions: These occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, where
light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and used to generate ATP and NADPH, (Stryer, 1995)
2. Light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle): These occur in the stroma of the chloroplast,
where ATP and NADPH drive the fixation of carbon dioxide into glucose.
During photosynthesis, Oxygen gas is liberated as a by-product. The rate o photosynthesis is
directly proportional to the amount of oxygen gas released.
Hypothesis
Rate of photosynthesis increases with increase in light intensity.
Methodology
Independent variable
Differing light intensity is provided through a light source at varying distances from the plant in
a dark room.
Dependent variable
Oxygen produced is captured through water displacement method and measured against various
light intensities.
Other Influencing Factors that needs to be kept constant:
While light intensity is critical, its effect on photosynthesis interacts with:
Carbon dioxide concentration: An equal amount o baking soda is added to each set-up to ensure
constant carbon dioxide concentration.
Temperature: Thermometers are used in each setup to monitor temperature. Minimum proximity
of set up to light source where heat from the light source begins to affect the set up, must be
observed to prevent this effect.
Chlorophyll concentration: Using the same plant at different intensities maintains the same
chlorophyll concentration.
Materials
Aquatic plant (e.g., Elodea or Cabomba)
Beaker (500 mL)
Water (preferably dechlorinated or pond water)
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Light source (lamp with an adjustable intensity or variable distance)
Ruler or light meter (for measuring distance or intensity)
Stopwatch
Funnel
Measuring cylinder
Thermometer
Method
1. Setup:
Fill a beaker with water and add a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to provide a source of
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Place a freshly cut piece of Elodea in the beaker, ensuring the cut end faces upward. Cover the
plant with an inverted funnel and place a measuring cylinder filled with water, inverted over the
funnel's neck to collect oxygen bubbles.
2. Control Variables:
Maintain constant temperature by using a thermometer to monitor water temperature.
Avoid overheating from the lamp.
Ensure a consistent CO₂ concentration by dissolving the same amount of sodium
bicarbonate in all trials.
3. Vary Light Intensity:
Place the lamp at a fixed starting distance (50 cm) from the plant. Turn on the lamp.
Measure the volume of oxygen collected in the test tube after 10 minutes.
Repeat the procedure at different distances of light source from the plant ( 100 cm, 150 cm, 200
cm).
4. Repetition:
Repeat each trial 3 times to ensure reliable results and calculate the average rate of oxygen
production for each light intensity.
Results
Distance of Volume of oxygen average
light source collected(ml) volume of
(cm) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 oxygen (ml)
50 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.9
100 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.0
150 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.3
200 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.6
Results analysis
2.0
Average Volume
1.0
of oxygen
collected (ml)
0
50 100 150 200
Diatance lamp
from setup (cm)
Discussions
The average volume of oxygen collected decreases as distance between the lamp and the setup
increases. Light intensity is inversely proportional to this distance therefore the graph suggests
that, as light intensity decreases due to increase in distance, the amount of oxygen produced from
photosynthesis also decreases significantly, (Beckett and Callagher, 2001). Inversely, increase in
light intensity causes increase in the rate of photosynthesis. This is because light is needed as a
source of energy in the process of oxygen, thus increasing the intensity of light would speed up
the process, reaching a maximum at the saturation point. Beyond this point, further increase in
light intensity would show no significant effect, and extremely high intensity may reduce the rate
due to photo-inhibition or effect of excessive heat on enzyme activity.
Conclusion
This experiment demonstrates how varying light intensity affects photosynthesis. It highlights
the importance of light as a limiting factor and identifies the saturation point where other factors,
such as CO₂ or temperature, become limiting.
References:
Stryer L. 1995, Biochemistry, 4th edition, Stanford University.
Beckett and Callegher, 2001, Biology for Higher Tier, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press.
