This required practical covers Required Practical: Investigating Rate of Photosynthesis within Photosynthesis for GCSE Biology. Topic 1: Photosynthesis It is section 6 of 14 in this topic. Revise both the method and the reason for each step, because practical questions often test understanding rather than pure recall.
🧪 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.
Practice questions for Photosynthesis
Where does photosynthesis take place in plant cells?
Write the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis.
Quick recall flashcards
Word equation for photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
(requires light energy)
What is the role of chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy to power photosynthesis.
It is green because it reflects green light and absorbs red and blue.