to see effect on photosynthesis?
How can temperature be measured
Keep all other factors constant. A light
intensity used that produces a high rate
of photosynthesis. Temperature in water
bath altered and vol of gas produced
measured at each temp. But warmer
water will reduce the solubility of the gas.
changing density? Steps 1 +2
measured using leaf discs and
How can photosynthetic rate be
1. Use a straw to cut out several leaf discs
from cress cotyledons. 2. Place 5/6 leaf
discs in a 10cm3 syringe, half-fill syringe with
dilute sodium hydrogencarbonate solution.
show its effect on photosynthetic rate?
How can carbon dioxide be measured to
All other factors kept constant and
number of sodium hydrogencarbonate
drops varied. Vol of gas produced
measured at each carbon dioxide conc.
What is step 3 for this experiment?
Hold syringe upright and place finger
over end. Gently pull on plunger to pull
air out of air spaces of spongy mesophyll
in leaf discs. Air is replaced by sodium
hydrogencarbonate soltuion. As density of
discs increases,they sink to bottom of syringe
 Describe the next step of this experiment What are stages 5,6 and 7?

Once all discs have sunk, transfer syringe

5. Repeat procedure twice more at this
contents to a small beaker. Illuminate from
light intensity and find mean rate of
above using bright light and time how long
photosynthesis. 6. Repeat at different
it takes for a leaf disc to float to top. (1/
light intensities. 7. Put results in table.
t) is a measure of rate of photosynthesis.

What can be used to measure uptake of CO2? Why are indicators good for this?

Some indicators are sensitive

An indicator solution.
to small changes in pH.
Describe the hydrogencarbonate indicator

It is red when neutral, yellow at pH6

and red/purple at pH's slightly above 7.