| Explore | Before, we knew that people receive oxygen from plants through a process called photosynthesis. However, searched beyond the surface and examined not only the reactants and products of photosynthesis, but how the energy created through photosynthesis is used. We also have conducted many experiments to find out what ideal conditions are for photosynthesis to occur. We now like to know whether temperature and the type of light affects the rate of photosynthesis. |
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| Research Question | Does temperature of the environment affect photosynthesis? |
| Predictions | The rate of photosynthesis will increase in both the cool and warm environments. |
| Experimental Design | We would have 3 beakers, one for water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit,one at room temperature, and one with 40 degree water. We will cut out 36 leaf disks and then mix a baking soda and water solution for each of the beakers. We will use syringes to infiltrate the disks with the solution and then place 12 disks into each beaker. Each beaker will then be heated/cooled to its designated temperature. We will leave them under lamps, to regulate the temperature, for 15 minutes and and record the amount of disks that go through photosynthesis. |
| Conclusion | The disks under the light, on the hot plate, would float up and float back down. They would float up and down because of cellular respiration. The rate of photosynthesis was not fast enough to keep them afloat. In the control group, the leaf disks floated to the top and remained afloat for the rest of the experiment. In the cold group, photosynthesis did not occur at the rate needed for the disks to rise to the top of the beaker. |
| Investigation Theme | POS |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| School Name | Camden High School |
| Session | Fall 2016 |
