Photosynthesis Inquiry Lab – Lab Report

Background Information:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, add water,
and use the energy of sunlight to produce sugar.
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast, an organelle in plant cells that contains the molecule
chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs the energy of sunlight. That light energy is converted to chemical
energy through the steps of photosynthesis.
The reactions of photosynthesis can be divided into two major types: light-dependent reactions and
light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions convert energy from the sun into a form
that the chloroplast can then use to make sugar from carbon dioxide, in the process producing
oxygen as a waste product. The light-independent reactions use that energy to make glucose from
carbon dioxide and water.
You will be investigating the rate of photosynthesis.

Title: A concise, yet descriptive title is needed

Title:
________________________________________________________________________________

Defining the Problem or Question: What question(s) are you trying to answer? Write one to two
sentences explaining why we are doing this lab- what we were trying to find out, what question we
were trying to answer, or what problem we were trying to solve.
Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Variables: Variables are the part of your experiment that you will change and measure. In a scientific
inquiry you will change only one type of thing, and only measure one type of thing. The independent
variable is the one you purposely change and the dependent variable is what changes and is
measured.
Variables: List what the variables are in this lab -
Independent – (x axis):
Dependent – (y axis):
Controls-
Hypothesis: Write a possible solution for the problem, this is your prediction. This is written as a
complete sentence. Make sure the statement is testable. A typical hypothesis is an “If ….then”
statement. The statement should reference the independent and dependent variables: such as “If the
water faucet is opened larger (independent variable), then the amount of water flowing (dependent
variable) will increase.
Hypothesis: IF _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Materials: Make a list of all items used in the lab.

Experiment - Measurement of Photosynthesis

To improve results, add a pinch of baking soda to the water in the test tube. Cut elodea stems at an
angle and use your fingers to crush the end of the stem. The water in the beaker is meant to absorb
the heat from the light.
Model Set Up: Heat sinks (beaker with water) may not be necessary if using CFL bulbs. Count the
bubbles to measure the rate of reaction

Procedure: Write a numbered list which explains what you did in the lab in detail. Your procedure
should be written so than anyone else could repeat the experiment.
Procedure:

Raw Data and Observations: This section contains a summary of your data in the form of graphs,
tables, diagrams, calculations, etc. All of these should be labeled appropriately. This section can also
include written observations.
Collecting Raw Data –Think about what you are collecting and how to organize the data BEFORE you
fill in the table. Add a title and identify the data collected (put any units in title boxes of table).
Experimental Data –
Dependent variable: Beginning rate of photosynthesis (units – number of bubbles per minute). Test
this twice and take the average of the two trials.
Title:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(X axis) Independent (Y axis) Dependent (Y axis) Dependent Mean (Units)

variable: What was variable: What you variable: What you
changed (Units) measured (Units) measured (Units)
Observations: (What did you notice while going through the experiment?)
What to write - descriptions such as sights, sounds, smells, etc. you have observed during your
experiment, that relate to the experiment itself. Drawings are also fine, as long as they are properly
labeled.
Graphs: All graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately. Make a line graph for this lab. Refer
to the “Graphing Rules” handout if needed. Be sure to include a title, value increments and label axes
and data for the graph correctly.

Patterns: Explain what your data is describing using words like “increase” or “decrease”, and phrases
such as “the data shows…” or “the dependent variable…”.
The data shows…
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:
A conclusion paragraph contains the following:
Analysis
1. Restate the overall purpose of the experiment (include Independent Variable and Dependent
Variable in this sentence.)
2. What were the major findings? (Summarize your data and then the graph results and
patterns)
3. Was the hypothesis supported by the data? How do you know?
Evaluation
1. What would you improve for next time?
2. What were the sources of error
Conclusion:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________