Rationale

Photosynthesis is a critical biochemical process through which plants, algae, and some
bacteria convert light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. The general
equation for photosynthesis can be expressed as: (Hans Lambers, J. A. (2024).
6 CO 2+6 H 2 O+light →C 6 H 12 O 6+6 O 2

There are two different types of light reactions, dependent and independent. During light
dependent reactions, energy from the sun is absorbed by the chlorophyll and converted into
stored chemical energy in the forms of NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate) and the energy currency molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This chemical
process takes place in the thylakoid membranes in the granum, within the chloroplast
(LibreTexts. (n.d)). Light independent reactions or Calvin cycles do not require light but the
products of the light-dependent reactions. The molecules depend on the energy carrier
molecules, ATP, and NADPH, to reduce carbon dioxide and to convert energy to chemical
bond energy in carbohydrates such as glucose. (LibreTexts. (n.d)
During photosynthesis the oxygen produced is a byproduct and accumulates in the leaves’
internal air spaces. This accumulation can change the density and buoyancy of the leaf. If the
leaf becomes less dense than water, they may float; conversely, if it doesn’t accumulate
enough internal gasses to offset its weight, it can sink (Susan Burran, D. D. (n.d).
Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) a compound commonly known as baking soda, serves as a
source of carbon for stimulating photosynthetic activity (Britannica, T. E. (2024). When
dissolved in water, sodium bicarbonate releases bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻), which can be
assimilated by photosynthetic organisms as a substrate for carbon fixation (Poschenrieder, C.
(2018).
Photosynthesis can be affected by many aspects, some of these include light intensity,
temperature and lastly carbon dioxide concentration.
Increasing the carbon increases the avaliabiility of carbon in leaves which causes greater
Rubisco activity and higher rates of photosynthesis. The function of Rubisco is to facilitate
the reaction between carbon dioxide and ribulose biphosphate in the initial step of
photosyntheis. Without Rubisco, the reaction would not be able to occur thus the plant would
not be able to photosynthesis (Study. (2023)
The main aim of the preliminary experiment was to explore how sodium bicarbonate affected
the rate of photosynthesis in leaf discs. The primary objective of the experiment was to
showcase the time it took for photosynthesis to occur in 0.2M sodium bicarbonate.
In this study, the focal point of the investigation was the rate of reaction. This represents the
dependent variable while the concentration of sodium bicarbonate acts as the independent
variable. Throughout the experiment there was many errors such as limited sample size with
there being only one trial leading to a chance of outliers and random inaccuracies. The
experiment also didn’t test anything except for what the rate of photosynthesis is for one
certain concentration which limits the useful information gathered.
Based off the previous experiment, inaccuracies were expected so modifications were made
to the methodology. The one concentration is changed to three leading it to extend and
enhance the research done for this topic. This modification provides a better understanding of
how changes in concentration can affect rate of photosynthesis through carbon volume
alteration.
The experiment is predicated on the hypothesis that increasing sodium bicarbonate
concentration will enhance the rate of photosynthesis due to a higher carbon concentration in
the solution.
Research question.
How does increasing the concentration of the sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (0.4%,
0.6%, 0.8%) affect the rate of photosynthesis for fresh spinach leaves?
Modification

Type of modification Modification Justification

Extension Changing the concentration This further extends the
of the sodium hydrogen experiment by adding a
carbonate solution to (0.4%, variation of concentrations
0.6%, 0.8%) to test whether the change of
concentration effects
photosynthesis. Trends
patterns and relationships
can then be deduced using
the independent and
dependent variables.
Refinement There will now be three This ensures that the
trials done for each experiment will be reliable
concentration of the sodium and valid by reducing any
hydrogen carbonate errors that can occur. It also
solution. allows for the calculations of
the mean and percentage
uncertainties.
Refinement Only 5 leaves will be This improves the time
measured instead of 10 management for the
experiment and since the
original experiment had to
many leaves it led to
inconsistent times for each
trial and a varied result,
while this smaller sample
size results in more precise
data

Risk Assessment

Hazard Risk Control measures

Glassware Possibility of cuts from Place glassware in middle of
 broken glass bench.
Cautiously handle.
Be aware of surroundings.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate, Low toxicity, environmental Gloves and goggles. Dispose
solid contamination. in sink.

Results
Table 1: Raw Data

Table 2: Processing Data

Name/Formula Example
Mean: 470.4+ 520.4+ 476.8
¿
x=
∑x 3
n 1467.6
¿
3
¿ 489.2

√
Standard Deviation: ( 470.4−489.2 )2 + ( 520.4−489.2 )2+ ( 476.8−489.2 )2
s=
∑ ( x i−x )
2 ¿
2

√
n−1 1480.64
¿
2
¿ √ 740.32
≈ 27.21
Standard error: 27.21
¿
s √3
SE=
√n ≈ 15.71

Coefficient of variance: 27.21

∗100
489.2
Standard Deviation
∗100
Mean 0.05562142273∗100

5.562142273 %

Coefficient of Error 15.71

∗100
489.2
Standard Error
∗100
Mean 0.03211365494∗100

3.21136549469%

Table 3: processed data

Figure 1: Average time taken for spinach leaf disc's to rise.

 Average time taken for spinach leaf
disc's to rise
Average time taken for leaf disc's to rise up

600

500
f(x) = − 398.8325 x + 645.6995
400 R² = 0.995679958232089
(seconds)

300

200

100

0
0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85

Concentration of Sodium carbonate in solution (%)

Trends, Patterns and Relationships.

Figure 1 displays the average time taken for spinach leaf discs to rise in different
concentrations. The data values depict a negative linear relationship illustrating that as the
concentration of sodium carbonate increases the time for photosynthesis to occur decreases.
This shows the link between independent and dependent variables.
The deviation of each point from the graph was shown by the R2 value of 0.9957. This higher
R2 value suggests that the data points exhibited minimal deviation, thus producing a strong
correlation with the trendline. The R2 value showcases that 99.57% of all changes in rate of
photosynthesis can be attributed to the change in concentration of sodium bicarbonate. Data
from figure 1, showcases values such as 489.2 seconds for photosynthesis to occur in 0.4%
concentration while it took only 329.6 seconds in 0.8% concentration.
Uncertainty and Limitations.
Table 2 showcases the processed data for each of the concentrations throughout the
experiment. It represents the mean times recorded and showcases absolute uncertainties
ranging from 10.5 to 25. This high range of each value indicates moderately high variance
between trials thus providing moderately low reliability to mean data values processed. The
standard error calculated ranges from 3.21% to 1.71%. This shows a far better result. Having
low standard error showcases the preciseness of each point on the graph and bolsters the
overall validity and reliability of data obtained. It also depicts the low variability across every
sample. The standard deviation depicts low percentages varying from 5.56% to 2.96%, this
deviation shows that the data is reasonably accurate in terms of variability whilst comparing
it to the mean value.

Limitations Effect
Only three syringes were This could cause the concentration of sodium bicarbonate
used so water was left due to to vary throughout each trial due to the excess water. This
inconsistent drying would affect the reliability of the data values observed.
Variation of distance of light This could cause a large variation to the rate of
 to leaves through experiment photosynthesis affecting the validity and accuracy of all
values produced. This is from the fact that it would cause
all values analysed to deviate from their true values and to
get consistent data.
Temperature varied between Since the experiment spanned between 2 days the
each trial temperature would not remain consistent throughout. This
could affect the number of collisions during the reaction
thus affecting results collected.

Evaluation
The results produced from the experiment can be considered moderately reliable and valid.
Despite the numerous limitations that occurred during the experimental process, the overall
results produced were reasonably accurate and precise. The alterations to the initial
methodology proved extremely helpful with making the overall experiment more precise and
valid. The change from a single trial to three bolstered the overall reliability and eliminated
any outliers which could have been present. The extension of testing a diverse number of
concentrations assisted with the validity by giving the experiment a wide sample size and
highlighting any trends, patterns, and relationships that may have occurred.
The data values calculated such as the standard deviation, and error depict the variation
throughout the experiment. The standard deviation (Table 2) showcases the reasonable
variance between points and highlights the precision of the data values. The standard error of
the results suggests that the results are pretty accurate and valid due to the low error values
for each concentration through the experiment.
Human errors such as time management and accurate measuring further affected the
reliability and validity of the trails. Throughout the experiment many times were altered since
at times the leaves would rise, and the time would be missed thus having inaccurate results
for some trials. An error in the methodology was also identified. The plunger on the syringe
was pulled to crest pressure, however the plunger was meant to have been pushed in as well
to refill the intercellular spaces with bicarbonate solution. This would have made the reaction
faster and more accurate as the sodium bicarbonate now had to force its way in. This massive
error affected all the times throughout every experiment, in turn ruining the validity of the
data.
Improvements
The improvements that are suggested for the experiment are shown.

Errors and limitations Improve by

Human Error Have a member of the group be always
Measuring and time inconsistencies watching the experiment and utilise more
throughout the experiment accurate measuring equipment. (accuracy
and reliability of data values)
Systematic Error Consistently drying each piece of the
The syringe was washed and cleaned after syringe before reusing. (keeping the acidity
reach trial but wasn’t consistently dried, constant throughout experiment, precision
 could affect acidity and reliability)

Systematic Error Always keep light at set height and ensure it

Light distance from syringes changing from is high enough to remove syringes from
each trial underneath. (eliminates any variables
affecting results, reliability of data)

Extensions
The extensions that are suggested for the experiment are shown.

Extensions Explanation
Changing the colour of the light Explore how the change in light could affect
the rate of photosynthesis if the
concentration and number of leaves is kept
constant.
This could further broaden the scope of the
experiment leading to more information
gathered.
Changing the carbon source (acid) used Explore how a difference carbon source
would affect the rate of photosynthesis if the
concentrations and number of leaves is kept
constant.
This would explore the aspect of a carbon
source and what it does.

Conclusion
The report was targeted to investigate the effect of altering the concentration of sodium
bicarbonate whilst keeping the number of leaves constant. The results of the experiment
showcase that as concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis to occur decreases. This is
seen from Figure 1 where in the 0.4% it took 489.2 seconds for photosynthesis to occur while
in the 0.8% it took only 329.6. This noticeable decline is demonstrated by the negative linear
relationship, which has an extremely high R2 value of 0.9957, indicating a significant
correlation between the independent and dependent variables.
These results fully support the hypothesis that increasing carbon dioxide concentration will
enhance the rate of photosynthesis due to a higher oxygen concentration in the solution.
However, due to various limitations throughout the experimental process many errors within
the data have occurred. High standard deviation and absolute error affects the results making
them less reliable and accurate. Further instances of human error affect the overall validity
and precision making the whole experiment slightly invalid. Further and more accurate
analysis will have to be done to accept any results from this experiment.

References
Britannica, T. E. (2024, March 27). sodium bicarbonate. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/science/sodium-bicarbonate
Hans Lambers, J. A. (2024, March 1). photosynthesis. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/science/photosynthesis
LibreTexts. (n.d, n.d n.d). The Two Parts of Photosynthesis. Retrieved from LibreTexts
biology :
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05%3A_Microbial_Metabolism/5.11%3A_Phototrophy/5.11C
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Poschenrieder, C. (2018, May 3). Transport and Use of Bicarbonate in Plants: Current
Knowledge and Challenges Ahead. Retrieved from PubMed Central :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5983714/
Study. (2023, November 21). RuBisCO | Definition, Structure & Location. Retrieved from
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%20RuBisCO%20is,not%20be%20able%20to%20photosynthesize.
Susan Burran, D. D. (n.d, n.d n.d). Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis. Retrieved from
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