Lucy Robbins 11/13/13 Science, 1

PHOTOSYNTHESIS SUMMATIVE LAB PROBLEM: How does the color of light (blue, red) affect the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea at a distance of 5cm from the plant? HYPOTHESIS: If the elodea is put 5 cm under red and blue light, then the elodea will photosynthesis 70% more when put under the blue light. THEORY: Photosynthesis is the process when plants use sunlight to make food from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis involves a green pigment called chlorophyll. In order for photosynthesis to take place, it must have carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. Photosynthesis will occur more when using the blue light. I think this because the blue light has more pigments, causing the chlorophyll to absorb the color more. In the 2012 data, I realized that the blue light was much more successful than the red light. The average was a 4.7% increase. In conclusion, the blue light will have the plant photosynthesis more. PROCEDURE FOR COLOR OF LIGHT 1. Measure and cut at an angle elodea 7 to 9 cm. 2. Remove a few leaves from end of stem and slightly crush end of stem. 3. Measure mass in grams and record. 4. Put elodea stem side up in a test tube. 5. Fill test tube with spring water and baking soda solution (1 tsp. to 100 mL of water). 6. Put tube in rack and adjust lamp with blue light 5 cm from top of est tube to the bottom of the ring stand. 7. Put tube in rack and adjust lamp with blue light 5 cm from top of test tube. 8. Turn on lamp and wait 1 minute. 9. After 1 minute, begin counting small, medium and large bubbles for 3 minutes. Record data. 10. Repeat with red light. 10. Repeat for Trial 2 DATA/OBSERVATIONS:

Lucy Robbins 11/13/13 Science, 1

Trial 1 _ 1__grams Small x 1 Color Blue Red Notes: Trial 2 ____1_grams Small x 1 Color Blue Red 23 11 21 61

Oxygen produced in 3 minutes at 5 and 10 cm Medium x 2 22x 2 44 20 x 2 40 Large x 3 4 x 3 12 4 x 3 12 Total 49 113

Oxygen produced in 3 minutes at 5 and 10 cm Medium x 2 12 x 2 24 Large x 3 7 x 3 21 2x3 Total 68 25

4x2 8

Averages: Blue 49 68 117 58.5% Red 113 25 138 70%

Trial 1 Trial 2 Total Average

Notes: Some things that went well were We all cooperated and worked together We were focused We calm and didnt have any stress We followed the procedure

Lucy Robbins 11/13/13 Science, 1

Some things that we could improve were: Only one person should count the bubbles Let the counters have more space Make sure that we calculate the data correct
2013 AVERAGE DATA IN 3 MINUTES FROM 6 DIFFERENT CLASSES COLOR OF LIGHT
BLUE CLASS PERIOD AVERAGES 1 2 3 4 6 7 TOTAL/6 AVERAGE RED % Oxygen Decrease/Increase

58.5 63.5 39 112 102 68.5 443.5/6 73.9

70 19 24.3 85.8 45 50.8 294.9/6 49.2

16.4% increase 70.1% decrease 37.7% decrease 23.3% decrease 55.8% decrease 25.8% decrease 33.4% decrease 32.6

Amount of bubbles produced in 3 mins

Comparason of Averges in Color of Light

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Our class Last years class 58.5 49.2 Blue Light Red Light 73.9 70

Lucy Robbins 11/13/13 Science, 1

CONCUSION: In this lab we tested how the color of light affected the rate of photosynthesis in elodea at a distance of 5cm. I predicted that if we out the elodea under a red and blue light, that the elodea would photosynthesis 70% more under the blue light. In my data there was a 32.6% increase. Compared to the 7th grade, I realized that our class had a discrepancy in the data. In all of the classes, there was a decrease from the blue to the red light. In our class, we had a 16% increase. Overall, my hypothesis was incorrect. ANALYSIS: In our data, there were a couple discrepancies. One of them was that we were the only class where the oxygen bubbles increased from blue to red by 16.4%. Throughout the 7th grade classes , the range is 53.7%. If I were to take out first period (the lowest class) because of the discrepancy in the data, they new range is 46.8%. I think that this range is more accurate because in period 1 the data was off. To make this lab more reliable, first, I would only have one person counting the bubbles instead of two. I would do this because each person sees stuff a little differently. This meaning that if there were a medium bubble, one person would see it as medium and the other person could possibly see it as a large oxygen bubble. Also, I would make sure that each sprig of elodea was in the test tube the same length down. I think that if the elodea is farther up in the test tube, it is closer to the light so it will produce a little bit more bubbles than the elodea that is farther down in the test tube.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Coolidge-Stolz M.D., Elizabeth, et al. Focus On Life Science. Boston, Mass: Prentice Hall, 2008. Example: Washington State Department of Ecology. American Waterweed- A Common Native Plant. February 24, 2003. November 2013. <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/Programs/wq/plants/native/elodea.html> Young, Paul. The Botany Coloring Book. Cambridge, New York: Harper and Row, 1982. "Chemistry of Autumn Leaf Color - Fall Leaves."Http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa082602a.htm. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. Kane, Adam. "Http://www.ehow.com/info_8673734_difference-between-chlorophyllb.html." EHow. Demand Media, 01 July 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 201