Factors Affecting Photosynthesis In An Aquatic Plant

There are many factors to be considered in terms of water quality, but one of the most
important factors for both plants and animals is the concentration of oxygen available in
aquatic ecosystems.

In this lab, you will investigate the rate of photosynthesis of Cabomba caroliniana under
different environmental conditions. Like many other water plants, Cabomba has specialised
tissue called aerenchyma that allows oxygen to diffuse inside the plant. If you cut through
the aerenchyma this gas can escape. You can count the bubbles in a set time to investigate
the rate of photosynthesis.

On Day 1, you will investigate the effects of light intensity, and availability of carbon
dioxide on the rate of photosynthesis. On Day 2, you will use the system described in
Day 1 to design a new experiment to measure the effect of a human impact on the
sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.

Possible human impacts could be:

 the effect of fertilizer on the photosynthetic ability of Cabomba
 the effect of aquatic salinity (salt contamination) on the photosynthetic ability of
Cabomba
 the effect of heat on the photosynthetic ability of Cabomba
 the effect of pH on the photosynthetic ability of Cabomba

Background information:
Plants can carry out both photosynthesis and respiration simultaneously. During
photosynthesis, plants are using the energy of the sun to build molecules which effectively
store this energy (glucose). Chemically, the photosynthetic reaction looks like this:

chlorophyll
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
light

During respiration, plants are using this stored energy (glucose), to fuel their metabolic
processes. Chemically, the respiratory process looks like this:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Among other things, the converted energy from respiration is used to synthesize molecules,
move materials around within the organism, grow (create new cells) and reproduce. Notice
that in photosynthesis, CO2 (carbon dioxide) is being used up as it is “fixed” into glucose
molecules. During respiration the opposite is true. As the plant releases the energy stored
in glucose by breaking it down, CO2 is being given off into the surrounding water or
atmosphere. The relationship between these two processes is special in that it allows plants
to recycle some of their by-products. (While CO2 is being given off during respiration, it can
be re-utilized during photosynthesis.)
DAY 1 – Investigation 1: How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?
The easiest rate-limiting factor of photosynthesis to investigate using Cabomba
is light intensity. Light intensity can be changed by moving a plant to different
distances from a lamp.

Safety issues: Take care with use of water near electrical equipment. Ensure
hands are dry when using lamps.

Materials:
 Approx. 5-7cm long piece of Cabomba caroliniana
 Beaker of dechlorinated water / graduated cylinder
 Large test tube / test tube rack
 Light source
 Meter ruler / measuring tape
 Timer
 Scissors

Setting up your bubbling Cabomba in test tube rack:

1. Fill a test tube with approximately 50 mL of water.

2. Place your Cabomba into the test tube (upside down – stem facing up).
3. Gently push the Cabomba down – care not to snap the stem.
4. Cut the stem of the Cabomba sprig at an angle under the surface of
the water. This cut end must remain in the liquid or an air lock may
form. You should be able to observe bubbles of gas rising from the cut
(see picture to the right).
5. Bubbles of gas should be seen emerging from the cut end after 1-2 minutes. If Snipping the cut
bubbles do not appear, cut the end of the stem again to freshen it up. end under water

Setting up your station with light source:

6. Fix a ruler to your desk so that you can easily

move your plugged-in lamp along it.
7. Place the test tube rack (with your plant) at 40
cm along the ruler.
8. Place the lamp as close as you can to the 0 cm
mark but do NOT turn it on yet.
9. Count the number of bubbles escaping from the
cut end in one minute. Record your data in
Table 1 below. Repeat your bubble count per
minute 2 more times, recording data in Table 1.
10. Turn on the lamp so that it’s shining on the
leaves, and allow the plant to acclimatize for 1-2 minutes.
11. Count the number of bubbles escaping from the cut end in one minute. Record your data in
Table 1 below. Repeat your bubble count per minute 2 more times, recording data in Table 1.
12. Repeat the experiment so that the light is 30 cm away and then 20cm away, starting with the
farthest distance and getting closer to the lamp.

Table 1. Rate of photosynthesis as a measure of light intensity:

Lamp Distance Number of bubbles per minute

from plant (cm) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Ambient light (no

light source used)
40
30
20
DAY 1 – Investigation 2: How does presence of carbon dioxide affect the rate of
photosynthesis?

One factor that can that affect the rate of photosynthesis is the starting
amount of carbon dioxide in the water. We can do this by adding baking soda
(sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃) to the water, which will react to produce
carbon dioxide gas.

Materials:
 Approx. 5-7cm long piece of Cabomba caroliniana
 Beaker of dechlorinated water / graduated cylinder
 Large test tube / test tube rack
 Light source
 Meter ruler / measuring tape
 Timer
 Scissors
 50 mL beaker with baking soda / scoopula
 Weigh boat
 Balance

Setting up your bubbling Cabomba with light source with baking soda:

1. Using the same test tube with bubbling Cabomba plant from Investigation 1
(Light intensity), place the lamp at a chosen distance so that your plant
produces some bubbles (anywhere from 20-50 per minute). Depending on
your plant, this could just be ambient classroom light. Allow the plant to adjust
to this white light for 1-2 minutes.
2. Count the number of bubbles escaping from the cut end in one minute.
Record your data in Table 2 below. Repeat your bubble count per minute 2
more times, recording data in Table 2.
3. Add 0.5 g of baking soda and gently swirl the test tube to mix. Allow the plant Snipping the cut
end under water
to acclimatize for 1-2 minutes.
4. Count the number of bubbles escaping from the cut end in one minute.
Record your data in Table 2 below. Repeat your bubble count per minute 2 more times,
recording data in Table 2.
5. Repeat the experiment twice so that the total amount of baking soda is increased by 0.5 gram
each time (so that you have no baking soda, 0.5 g, 1.0 g and 1.5 g total baking soda).

Table 2. Rate of photosynthesis as a measure of carbon dioxide present:

Treatment Number of bubbles per minute

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Water only

0.5 g baking soda

1.0 g baking soda

1.5 g baking soda

 DAY 2 - Design and Conduct an Investigation

Photosynthesis is critical for providing energy to organisms in an ecosystem. It is a process that can
be affected by a number of factors. Think of possible factors and design an a new experiment to
measure the effect of a human impact (such as addition of fertilizer, salt, heat or changing pH) on the
sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.

Develop and conduct your experiment using the following guide

1. What human impact have you chosen to examine for its effect on photosynthesis? Explain why this
effect may be biologically relevant or interesting to aquatic ecosystems (you may have to do some
background research to determine this).

The guiding question for your experiment:

Your hypothesis (If….then… statement):

Your independent variable: Your dependent variable:

Controlled variables: Number of trials:

List of References (APA format):

1.
 2.

Use the space below to create a flowchart of the experiment – this is a simplified version of the steps
or the procedure of the experiment:

Use the space below to create a data table for your experiment:
Have your teacher approve your plan before beginning the experiment.

Approval Signature of Teacher