Photosynthesis Virtual Labs
Virtual Lab #1
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Bubbles of oxygen are given off by the plant through photosynthesis.
By measuring the rate at which the oxygen bubbles are produced it is possible to tell how fast the
plant is photosynthesizing.
Read and follow the directions on how to use this lab simulator.
Press start and record the bubbles per minute for each of the following light distances. Then graph
your data (be sure to label each axis)!
Based on your data, draw a conclusion regarding how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.
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Virtual Lab #2
In this lab, you will be experimenting with how different variables affect the rate of photosynthesis.
1. Set the thermometer to 25°C (Room Temperature) and the light intensity to 20.
a. How many bubbles per minute were produced at this setting? ______ bpm
b. Now increase the CO2 available to the elodea. How many bubbles per minute? ______ bpm
c. Based on your data, how does the amount of available CO2 affect the rate of photosynthesis?
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2. Keep your settings (25°C, light intensity of 20, increased CO2).
a. What were the bubbles per minute at this setting? ______ bpm
b. Now increase the temperature to 40°C. What were your bubbles per minute? ______ bpm
c. Based on your data, how does an increase in temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?
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3. Return to your settings (25°C, light intensity of 20, increased CO2).
a. What were the bubbles per minute at this setting? ______ bpm
b. Now decrease the temperature to 10°C. What were your bubbles per minute? ______ bpm
c. Based on your data, how does a decrease in temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?
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4. Alter the variables in order to determine which combination leads to the highest rate of photosynthesis.
Which combination of settings produced the highest number of bubbles per minute?
a. Temperature: ________
b. Light: ________
c. CO2: ________
Part 3. Photosynthesis Tutorial:
Use this site to answer questions about photosynthesis. Make sure you read the paragraph above the
animations carefully before answering. Some answers are in the paragraph, others will be found in the
animation.
Concept 1.
Complete the chemical formula for photosynthesis:
________ + _________  C6H12O6 + _________
Concept 2.
What happens to light energy that is absorbed by a plant? _____________________________________
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Concept 3.
In this experiment 2 living organisms were used:
 Spyrogyra is an algae that contains chloroplast in a spiral shape and is able to do photosynthesis.
 Oxygen-dependent bacteria must have oxygen in order to live and reproduce
 In the experiment, the bacteria collected in areas where there was more oxygen available.
Explain why the bacteria accumulate near the areas where violet/blue and orange/red wavelengths were
shining on the spirogyra. ____________________________________________________________
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Which wavelength (color) is absorbed the least?_________________ Does this result in a lot or very little
photosynthesis? ________________ Support your answer with results from Thomas Engelmann’s
experiment. ___________________________________________________________________________
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Concept 4.
Where in a plant does most photosynthesis take place? ___________
Which structure in the leaf allows CO2 in and Oxygen out? _______________
Label the diagram below.
Concept 5.
After reading the paragraph, Place a (*) next to the part of the leaf that is specialized for photosynthesis.
Notice that there are spaces between these cells to allow CO2 and Oxygen to move to the stoma.
Label the diagram below.
Concept 6:
Label the diagram below.
Concept 7.
Where are chlorophyll molecules found?_________________________
What is their job?______________________________________________________________________
Concept 8.
Complete the chart below about the 2 reactions of photosynthesis.
Name of the reaction
Also known as…
Takes place in
Light dependent
reactions
Dark reactions
Stroma
Makes