Measure The Rate of Photosynthesis
Conduct a classroom/laboratory activity to measure the rate at which photosynthesis occurs and note changes under variable conditions such as elevated carbon dioxide levels, a potential contributor to climate change.
- This activity can be used to explore, measure, and determine the rate at which photosynthesis occurs
- This lab activity allows the users to test the rate of photosynthesis under variable environmental conditions like light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide levels.
- Note the changes in the rate of photosynthesis and compare the results.
- In this lab activity, one can test the effect of elevated CO2 levels on the rate of photosynthesis on spinach leaves by testing under different concentrations of added sodium bicarbonate. Students can then discuss how the rate at which photosynthesis occurs can affect food production in plants and thereby, affect agricultural produce in general.
Activity Developed by John S Olson for the Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project (MnSTEP), led by the Center for Global Environmental Education, available at SERC Carleton