Elodea Essay

Elodea are adaptive, oxygenating aquatic plants. They utilize water and light (among others) to photosynthesize in water, and expel oxygen into their environment. However, there are ways the photosynthesis of Elodea can be affected; some ways include a fluctuation in light, temperature, and water level. This lab experiment ran on the theory that different water types could also be a factor to different photosynthetic levels. Elodea were soaked in distilled, tap, and untreated (pond) water and left for an hour under a light source. The carbon level was taken in the form of adding phenolphthalein and NaOH to the water samples after the experiment finished up. It was discovered through this lab that distilled water allowed Elodea to photosynthesize

These plants can grow and flourish in multiple conditions, including as fragments without roots (Native Freshwater Plants... [date unknown]). They are also used frequently as aquarium plants. Aquatic plants such as the Elodea are coined as oxygenating plants due to the oxygen being dissolved in the water during photosynthesis (Oxygenating Plants [date unknown]).

Photosynthesis is the conversion of carbon dioxide, water, and light into chemical energy through a series of reactions, and can occur in plants both on land, and in the water (Ensminger PA 2004). However, a variety of things can affect photosynthesis; water levels, temperature, and light availability are just some of the many that can cause fluctuation in the photosynthetic reaction of plants (Carr et al. 1997). This lab was a result of this observation. With so many factors affecting photosynthesis, interest was expressed about whether water type could affect it as well. This could be important for several reasons. For example, as more and more carbon dioxide gets absorbed into the water on Earth, figuring out which water source provides a better habitat for aquatic plants such as Elodea could lead to further understanding global