BioenergeticsRequired Practical
Required Practical: Investigating Rate of Photosynthesis
Part of Photosynthesis — GCSE Biology
This required practical covers Required Practical: Investigating Rate of Photosynthesis within Photosynthesis for GCSE Biology. Topic 1: Photosynthesis It is section 5 of 13 in this topic. Revise both the method and the reason for each step, because practical questions often test understanding rather than pure recall.
Topic position
Section 5 of 13
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
🧪 Required Practical: Investigating Rate of Photosynthesis
In this practical you use an aquatic plant (Elodea) to measure the rate of photosynthesis by counting oxygen bubbles per minute at different light intensities.
- Place Elodea in sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (provides CO2).
- Use a lamp at measured distances to vary light intensity.
- Control temperature using a water bath.
- Count bubbles per minute at each distance — more bubbles = faster rate.
- Plot rate against 1/d2 to test the inverse square law.