Laboratory Report: Investigating Photosynthesis in Aquatic
Plants
Student Name: _________________
Date: _________________
Class: Biology/Life Science
Lab Partner: _________________
Abstract
This experiment investigated the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants under different light conditions.
Using Elodea (Canadian waterweed) as our test organism, we measured oxygen production by counting
gas bubbles released during photosynthesis. Our hypothesis predicted that increased light intensity
would result in higher rates of photosynthesis. Results confirmed this hypothesis, showing a clear positive
correlation between light intensity and oxygen bubble production.
Introduction
Background Information
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy,
usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules. The general equation for
photosynthesis is:
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
This process occurs in two main stages:
1. Light-Dependent Reactions: Occur in the thylakoids, where light energy is captured and converted
to ATP and NADPH
2. Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle): Occur in the stroma, where CO₂ is fixed into glucose
using ATP and NADPH
Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Rate
Several environmental factors influence the rate of photosynthesis:
Light Intensity: Higher light intensity generally increases photosynthesis rate up to a saturation point
Carbon Dioxide Concentration: More CO₂ typically increases the rate until other factors become
limiting
Temperature: Affects enzyme activity; optimal range varies by species
Water Availability: Essential for the light-dependent reactions
Purpose and Hypothesis
Purpose: To determine how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants.
Hypothesis: If light intensity increases, then the rate of photosynthesis (measured by oxygen bubble
production) will increase because more light energy will be available for the light-dependent reactions.
Materials
4 sprigs of Elodea (Canadian waterweed)
4 clear glass beakers (250 mL)
4 glass funnels
4 test tubes
Desk lamp with 60-watt bulb
Ruler or measuring tape
Stopwatch
Thermometer
Distilled water
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)
pH strips
Calculator
Methods
Experimental Setup
1. Preparation: Filled four beakers with 200 mL of distilled water. Added 1 gram of sodium bicarbonate
to each beaker to provide CO₂ source.
2. Plant Preparation: Cut fresh sprigs of Elodea underwater to prevent air bubbles from entering the
stem. Ensured each sprig was approximately the same size (8-10 cm).
3. Assembly: Placed one Elodea sprig in each beaker with the cut end pointing upward. Inverted a glass
funnel over each plant, then filled a test tube with water and inverted it over the funnel stem to
collect gas bubbles.
4. Light Distance Setup:
Beaker 1: No direct light (control)
Beaker 2: Light placed 50 cm away
Beaker 3: Light placed 25 cm away
Beaker 4: Light placed 10 cm away
Data Collection Procedure
1. Allowed all setups to equilibrate for 5 minutes
2. Recorded initial conditions (temperature, pH)
3. Counted oxygen bubbles produced in 10-minute intervals for 30 minutes
4. Recorded water temperature every 10 minutes
5. Repeated entire experiment three times for reliability
Variables
Independent Variable: Light intensity (distance from light source)
Dependent Variable: Rate of oxygen production (bubbles per minute)
Controlled Variables: Plant species and size, water volume, CO₂ concentration, room temperature,
time intervals
Results
Data Table
Light Trial 1 (bubbles/10 Trial 2 (bubbles/10 Trial 3 (bubbles/10 Rate
Average
Distance min) min) min) (bubbles/min)
No light 2 1 2 1.7 0.17
50 cm 8 6 7 7.0 0.70
25 cm 15 18 16 16.3 1.63
10 cm 28 25 27 26.7 2.67
Environmental Conditions
Average Temperature: 22°C (remained constant throughout experiment)
pH: 7.2-7.4 (remained stable)
Humidity: 45%
Observations
Plants closer to the light source appeared more vibrant green
Bubbles were clearly visible and consistently sized
No visible stress or damage to plant specimens
Control group (no light) still produced some bubbles, likely from background lighting
Analysis and Discussion
Data Analysis
The results clearly support our hypothesis. As light intensity increased (distance from light source
decreased), the rate of photosynthesis increased proportionally:
No direct light: 0.17 bubbles/minute
50 cm distance: 0.70 bubbles/minute (4× increase)
25 cm distance: 1.63 bubbles/minute (9.6× increase)
10 cm distance: 2.67 bubbles/minute (15.7× increase)
Scientific Explanation
The increase in photosynthesis rate with higher light intensity can be explained by the light-dependent
reactions of photosynthesis. More light photons provide more energy to excite electrons in chlorophyll
molecules, leading to increased production of ATP and NADPH. These energy carriers then drive the
Calvin cycle more efficiently, resulting in higher overall photosynthesis rates and more o
