Photosynthesis Activity Sheet
Photosynthesis Activity Sheet
Photosynthesis Activity Sheet
Learning Strand 2
Name:______________________ Division: ________________
Group Members: ______________________________________________________________
Activity 1
Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
Overview
In this exercise, you will explore the different factors that affect photosynthesis using a
virtual simulation of iwantostudy.org
Learning Objectives:
Investigate how the different factors affect the rate of photosynthesis
Background
Photosynthesis is a process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light
energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in organic molecules. This process is critical for
life on Earth as it provides the foundation for the food chain, and is responsible for producing the
oxygen we breathe.
The overall equation for photosynthesis is:
In other words, carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, are converted
into glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. This reaction takes place in the chloroplasts of plant
cells and involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent
reactions.
During the light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by pigments called
chlorophyll and other accessory pigments, which are located in the thylakoid membranes of the
chloroplasts. This energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen ions, which
generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate), two energy-rich molecules that are used in the next stage.
In the light-independent reactions (also known as the Calvin cycle), carbon dioxide is
fixed into glucose using the energy provided by ATP and NADPH. This process involves a series
of enzymatic reactions that take place in the stroma of the chloroplasts.
Overall, photosynthesis is a complex process that is crucial for life on Earth. It provides
the energy and building blocks for all living organisms and plays a critical role in regulating the
levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere.
Hypothesis:
Light and photosynthesis
What do you think is the relationship between light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis based
on the information above?
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Continuing Professional Learning Course 2023
Learning Strand 2
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Procedure
1. Go to:
https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/biology/ejss_model_photosynthesis/
photosynthesis_Simulation.xhtml
2. Click the “expt 1 vary amount of light”
3. Adjust the intensity of light as indicated in Table 1. Hit play and collect data and
complete Table 1.
4. Click the “expt 2 vary amount of carbon dioxide”
5. Adjust the concentration of carbon dioxide as indicated in Table 2. Hit play and collect
data and complete Table 2.
Guide Questions
3. What is the relationship between the amount of oxygen produced (observed as bubbles)
and light intensity?
4. If you were to increase the intensity of light indefinitely, would you expect the
production of oxygen to continue to increase at the same time? Explain.
5. What trends did you observe when you increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in
the water?
6. What is the relationship between the amount of oxygen produced (observed as bubbles)
and carbon dioxide concentration?
Conclusion
What generalizations can you draw out based from your findings?