I have a biology assignment about the photosynthetic rate of leaves. The experiment was to determine what concentration if biacrbonate in water would maximise photosynthesis rates. Bicarbonate representing carbon normally found from the air. What are the formulas I should use about carbon ions and the difference of bicarbonate etc.
I am a bit lost at it all
Any points at all would be helpful, or what I should look into???
Thankyou muchlay :)
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Favorite Answer
Just draw a table with one column stating the concentration of bicarbonate and another column stating time taken for photosynthesis (you will know this by using an indicator called iodine which will turn black when starch is present on the leaf- i.e. when photosynthesis has occurred). Then just look at your results, you will probably see an increase in rate with an increase in concentration of bicarbonate until a certain point where something else will have become the limiting factor- either temperature or sunlight. You don't need to use any formulas but the formula for photosynthesis is 6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2, so this is the reaction you are measuring the rate of.
Hope I helped!