The Effect of Light on the Size of Ivy Leaves

The Effect of Light on the Size of Ivy Leaves

Aim

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Design an experiment to investigate if light affects the size of Ivy

leaves

Plan

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In this experiment I will explore how light affects the size of Ivy

leaves. I will use the common Ivy called Hedera helix. I will take two

stems of Ivy, one from the part of the garden that is exposed to lots

of light, and one which exposed to little light. The Ivy leaves that

are facing the south of the garden will have been exposed to high

light intensities, whereas the leaves facing the North of the garden

will have been exposed to low light intensities. Although the Ivy

leaves are facing different directions they are still from the same

soil system. I will take 15 leaves from each stem and draw around them

onto squared paper. By doing this I will be able to calculate their

area. I will then compare the average size of the leaves in high light

intensities to the average size of the leaves in low light

intensities. This should tell me if sunlight does affect the size of

Ivy leaves.

Hypothesis

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* Null hypothesis:

- That light intensity has no effect on the size of the leaf

* My hypothesis:

- The leaves are larger, because they have a higher intensity of light

I have chosen the above hypothesis, because plants cannot grow or

live without photosynthesising.

Photosynthesis is the process of converting simple organic compounds

(CO2 and H2O) into more complex organic compounds (glucose and

oxygen), in plants:

+ Light

[IMAGE]- Carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen

+ Light

[IMAGE]- 6CO2 + H2O C6 H12O6 + 6O2

All plants photosynthesise, they all have chloroplasts, which contain

the green pigment chlorophyll.