| Explore | Plants need macronutrients and micronutrients for growth. The product of sugars from photosynthesis are necessary for plant growth. The necessary components for photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water. Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis include light color, light distance, pH level, and temperature. What other factors may change the rate of photosynthesis? |
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| Research Question | How does the concentration of 20:20:20 inorganic fertilizer affect the rate of photosynthesis in spinich leaves? |
| Predictions | Nitrogen allows a dark green color in plants. When chlorophyll absorbes red and blue light, green is reflected. The color of the plant shows that there is a suitable amount of chlorophyll. When there is a small amount off potassium, a plant may be yellow. This means there is a low supply of light absorbing chlorophyll. |
| Experimental Design | Soak spinich leaves in a 1:1 solution of fertilizer and distilled water , a 0.5:1 solution of fertilizer and distilled water, and a control of only distilled water. In three different cups, add a source of carbon dioxide and perform a leaf disk essay lab. From the results the fastest rate of photosynthesis will be determined. Solution 1: 1 tablespoon fertilizer to 1 gallon Solution 2: 1/2 tablespoon fertilizer to 1 gallon Solution 3: No fertilizer Take about 5 spinach leaves and submerge them into the solution. Take another 5 and put them in the other solution, and control water. Leave the leaves in solution overnight in fridge(44 F) Pour out 80ml of solution into separate cups. Put bicarbonate powder into solution and stir gently. Once dissolved add 1-2 drops of soap solution. Make 30-35 leaf disks using hole punch. Put disks onto card. Unplug syringe and put 10 leaf disks into the syringe. Use a small brush to carefully push the disks down the syringe. Sink the leaf disks with distilled water Push plunger back into syringe. Avoid damaging and leaves. Place tip of syringe into distilled water and fill syringe 1/3 full. Tan the side of the syringe while it faces upward to allow the disks to submerge more into the water. Push the air outward while the syringe faces upward. Cover the tip with your thumb and pull back slowly with the plunger. Hold the plunger for 10-15 seconds, and release slowly. Repeat if necessary. Repeat with other solutions. Pull plunger gently to put the disks into cups and turn on light source. Record data in minute intervals. |
| Investigation Theme | POS |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| School Name | Newburgh Free Academy |
| Session | Fall 2018 |