BIOLOGY

IA
BY:Tanisha Karunamurthy
Research Question
How does the rate of photosynthesis affect Ludwigia Palustris, when it is
watered with spice (Clove,Cinnamon and Bay leaves) infused water?

Background info
In the days when there wasn’t refrigeration or better ways to preserve
food, spices helped in the preservation process as many spices have
microbial properties.Up until the 18th century, spices were sought after for
their flavor and preservation properties and if one had spices, they were
wealthy since many spices came from the Far East and exotic locales.
Hence the Spice Islands India, Indonesia, Africa and South America were
colonized by the Dutch, English, Germans, Spanish and French, which led
to more exploration for the spice and tea traders.It’s well known that
spices elevate the taste and flavor of food. Just a bit of spice can
transform everyday ingredients into an appetizing and aromatic meal. But
can spices contribute to the rate of photosynthesis a plant does?

Hypothesis
The rate of photosynthesis will decrease when the plant is watered with
spice infused water compared to water.

Variables
Dependent:
❖ The type of plant.
Independent:
❖ The different type of spices
Control:
❖ The amount of water

Procedure
1. Weigh the three spices to 0.5g each (cloves,cinnamon,bay leaves) for
one test. Total 12 tests.
2. Take 3 beakers of 400ml of water. Place the beaker on a heat source.
While it is heating take 2g of each spice and put it into the 3
speakers. (one spice per 1 beaker)
3. Take the heated,spice infused water and let it cool down.
4. Once cooled, split the water into 100 ml each. There should be nine
cups (3 of each spice)
5. Take 3 more cups of 100 ml of tap water.
6. Put 1 plant of approximate weight 0.25g into each cup.
7. Place the 12 cups next to a window where sunlight falls on the plant.
8. Wait for 2 days.
9. Take a beurette,lamp and a flask of 250 ml of hydrogen carbonate
and water solution. Also take 260 ml of water.
10. Take the lamp and put it facing the 250 ml of water.
11. Take the beurette and put it next to the 250 ml of water (opposite
side to the lamp).
12. Put a plant inside a beaker and fill it with hydrogen carbonate
solution.
13. Turn the light on and observe the number of bubbles produced.
14. Repeat the experiment for all plants. (note- every time a new plant is
put in, change the hydrogen carbonate solution.)
15. Observe the results.