Photosynthesis Lab Report

The Effect of Temperature Change on Photosynthesis

Serena Kim

Lucia Yu

McGill University

Introduction

What is photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is a process that is responsible for present life in the planet because it supplies food and energy source for all living organisms. In addition, plants produce oxygen by photosynthesis, the gas that is essential for our life. Photosynthesis is the process in which plants convert carbon dioxide, water, and minerals to oxygen and sugar by using light energy (Lambers, H., & Bassham, J. A, 2018). The process is summarized by the following reaction:

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

There are different variables that affect the rate of photosynthesis: light intensity, CO2 concentration, and

Set it to 25°C by using a thermometer. Sodium bicarbonate ion will act as a carbon source for photosynthesis.

Prepare the same 4 sodium bicarbonate solutions with different temperatures. ( 5°C, 15°C, 35°C, 45°C). Use water bath or ice if needed.

To allow the solution to go into the leaf discs completely, add one drop of liquid soap in each solution.

Use the photometer to measure the light intensity near the beakers. If the light intensities are not similar, relocate the beaker where the light intensity is similar.

Cut at least 10 spinach leaf disks for each beaker. Avoid its vein when cutting.

Put the same amount of leaf disks in each beaker which contains sodium bicarbonate solution in different temperature.

Observe the leaf disks every minute and record on the observation page if disk flots. Do this for at least 15 minutes.

Repeat procedure 4-7 with four more solutions.

Make a chart and graph to compare the results.

Results

Table 1. The number of floating spinach leaf disks in different temperature of sodium bicarbonate solution in every