In the experiment outlined in Activity 9 - Photosynthesis, we investigated the rate of photosynthesis under different light conditions. The experiment's primary focus was to measure the rate of oxygen production, indicated by the number of bubbles produced by an aquatic plant within a 5-minute interval under various types of light. The light conditions tested were white light (control), blue light (filtered by blue cellophane), green light (filtered by green cellophane), and red light (filtered by red cellophane).
The results of the experiment are summarized in the data table. The control group, exposed to white light, produced the highest number of bubbles, 40, within the interval, indicating the highest rate of photosynthesis at 8 bubbles per minute. This suggests that white light, which contains all wavelengths of visible light, is most effective for photosynthesis. Under blue light, the plant produced 29 bubbles, corresponding to a rate of 5.8 bubbles per minute, while red light resulted in 31 bubbles, or 6.2 bubbles per minute. Green light was the least effective, resulting in just 5 bubbles, equating to a rate of 1 bubble per minute.
These results reveal several insights about the influence of light wavelength on photosynthesis. White light, providing the full spectrum, supports the hypothesis that plants utilize a range of wavelengths most efficiently. Meanwhile, photosynthesis rates under blue and red light suggest that these specific wavelengths are more beneficial compared to green light. This aligns with the knowledge that chlorophyll, the primary pigment in plants, absorbs light most efficiently in the blue and red portions of the spectrum and reflects green light. Thus, the experiment demonstrates that while all wavelengths of light are not equally effective for photosynthesis, the blue and red parts of the spectrum are particularly important in driving this vital biological process. This understanding helps us comprehend why plants appear green and how they can optimize light absorption for energy conversion in natural and artificial settings.
