How does high and low light intensity affect photosyntesis?

Introduction

The process of photosynthesis involves the cell chloroplast that contains the organelle chlorophyll. The reactions in the photosynthesis can be categorized into light-dependent and light-independent reaction ( Blankenship, 2013) . According to Fu and Wu, (2012), the photosynthesis reaction changes the sunlight energy into chemical energy and oxygen. In the case, it through the chemical energy generated that chloroplast utilizes. Similarly, the photosynthesis that does not require the sunlight uses water and carbon dioxide chemical energy in making glucose.

Purpose

The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate how the amount of sunlight affects the capacity of cells in the plant to perform photosynthesis. In this sense, I would like to find out some bubbles produced by the seaweed in dim light and under bright light.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis of the virtual demonstration relates to the data collected in the lab. About the previous studies, it expected that the intensity of light exposure to seaweed is likely to increase the rate of photosynthesis ( Coombs et al., 2014) . Nevertheless, at some point, the amount of light exposure does increase process. The aim will be to identify the specific point where the light has no further effect and determine whether it is a conclusive outcome.

Observation and Discussion

According to the observation, the photosynthesis process accelerated as the concentration of light increases. At zero wattage, the average number of bubbles observed was 2 out of 3 trial studies within one hour. In the second observation, the wattage increased to 25as the bubbles produced increased to 5 within one hour. In the third test, the light intensity was increased to 50 watts, and the average number of bubbles increased to 11 bubbles at a duration of one hour. Lastly, after increasing the light intensity to 100 watts, the average number of bubbles increased to 12 bubbles.

Analysis

Based on the above observation, light is a limiting factor in a photosynthesis process. When the light intensity is too low, it allows the process to proceed to maximum for the light-dependent reaction ( Edwards and Huber, 2014) . On the other, the last observation shows that high light intensity may lower the rate of photosynthesis as it bleaches the chlorophyll.

References

Blankenship, R. E. (2013).  Molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis . John Wiley & Sons. 

Coombs, J., Hall, D. O., & Long, S. P. (Eds.). (2014).  Techniques in bioproductivity and photosynthesis: pergamon international library of science, technology, engineering and social studies . Elsevier 

Edwards, G. E., & Huber, S. C. (2014). The C4 pathway.  The biochemistry of plants: a comprehensive treatise ,  8 , 237-281. 

Fu, W., Li, P., & Wu, Y. (2012). Effects of different light intensities on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and yield in lettuce.  Scientia Horticulturae ,  135 , 45-51.