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The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Rate of Photosynthesis in

Cambomba Caroliniana Plants

Working Paper · October 2015

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.22830.92488

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Rate

of Photosynthesis in Cambomba Caroliniana Plants

Personal Code: fqs223

Name: Latremouille, Gabriel
Date: October 21st, 2015
Course: SBI 4U1Sa
Written For: Ms. C. Grekul
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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Abstract

This laboratory experiment explores the correlation between the environmental carbon
dioxide concentration and the rate of photosynthesis in Cambomba caroliniana, an aquatic
plant. In doing so, this laboratory experiment observed and analyzed the concepts of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Photosynthesis, the process by which plants create
glucose in order to perform cellular respiration, produces oxygen as a bi-product; an indicator
that can be used to measure the relative rate of photosynthesis. This laboratory experiment
focuses on measuring the percentage change in dissolved oxygen before and after a five
minute period, during which the plant performs both photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

This was completed by submerging 15cm long Cambomba caroliniana segments into
five different NaHCO3 solutions with unique concentrations (0g/L, 20g/L, 40g/L, 60g/L, and 80g/
L). In total, 25 trials were performed; 5 trials per solution, 1 plant segment per trial. Each trial
consisted of placing a single 15cm segment of Cambomba into 100ml of one of the five
NaHCO3 solutions and letting it perform photosynthesis for 5 minutes (stirring at one minute
intervals). Using a Vernier LabQuest dissolved oxygen sensor, measurements were taken
before and after the plant segment had been submerged, producing initial and final dissolved
oxygen measurements. The percentage change was then calculated and an appropriate line
graph was created in order to interpret the results of this experiment.

The experiment concluded that the rate of photosynthesis, measured using percentage
change in dissolved oxygen concentration, increases steadily alongside the increase of CO2
concentration (20g/L, 40g/L, and 60g/L NaHCO3 concentrations), culminating in a plateau near
a NaHCO3 concentration of 80g/L. These results were supported by a graphic which
demonstrated the same effect, and were mirrored by the previously stated hypothesis.

Personal Statement

Ever since I was a young child, I have loved discovery and exploration. Whether it was
examining insects, or peering through a microscope at slides of various specimens, I had, and
still have, an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Over time, this love for learning has only grown
larger, leading to my enrolment in the IB program, where I learn from both my teachers and my
peers, and where I pursue my love of learning. This internal assessment allowed me to apply
the techniques and methods that I have learned throughout my childhood and schooling to a
unique experiment; my own personal exploration. Instead of following in the footsteps of a
teacher or a scientist, I underwent the entire process. Not only did I conduct the experiment
myself, but I designed and analyzed it. This experience has developed my critical thinking skills
ten fold; I’ve learned to overcome procedural conflicts, assure the accuracy of data collection,
and analyze data in a way that is easily interpretable by my peers. My interest in botany inspired
this project as I began to wonder how plants grew into such complex and intricate structures,
and what factors may affect this development. I chose to analyze the process of photosynthesis
as it is the basis of botany - it allows all plants to grow. The phenomenon of photosynthesis has
been a relevant topic for decades, and is increasing in relevance as we discover ways to apply it
in order to solve some of today’s societal dilemmas. Overall, both my biological experiences
within the classroom as well as in the field have culminated in this rewarding, challenging, and
exciting personal experiment.

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Background Information

As the majority of plant cells do not acquire their nutrition via consuming food, they use
light energy and a specialized biochemical pathway called photosynthesis to produce energy for
cell processes. The generalized equation for photosynthesis is:

Light Energy
6 CO2 + 12 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 H2O + 6 O2
Carbon Water Glucose Water Oxygen
Dioxide

As carbon dioxide is a reactant in the process of photosynthesis, simple logic would

conclude that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide will induce a higher rate of reaction or a
higher occurrence of the reaction. To increase the environmental carbon dioxide concentration,
sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or baking soda, will be dissolved in distilled water to form five
solutions of different concentrations. Once dissolved in water, sodium bicarbonate becomes
carbon dioxide and will therefore increase the carbon dioxide concentration.

For this lab, Cambomba caroliniana (Figure 1) aquatic plants are used as they are the
fastest growing plants available for purchase, which also indicates that these plants perform
photosynthesis at the fastest rate. The Cambomba caroliniana plant has feathery green leaves,
which are divided into narrow segments. It is a densely growing plant which allows for its quick
development via photosynthesis.

Although photosynthesis only occurs in the presence of light, cellular respiration, a

process that uses glucose, oxygen, and water to produce chemical energy (ATP), occurs
throughout the day regardless of the lighting conditions. Therefore, at times, cellular respiration
may occur while photosynthesis is not occurring.

Figure 1: The Cambomba caroliniana 1

Aquatic plants release oxygen from photosynthesis into the surrounding aquatic
environment, creating dissolved oxygen. Therefore, for this experiment, the relative rate of
photosynthesis will be measured by analyzing the percentage change in dissolved oxygen
concentration. The formula for percentage change in dissolved oxygen is:

% Change in DO concentration = [(Final DO - Initial DO) / Initial DO] x 100%

1http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/invasive_aquatic_plant_program/herbarium/by_genus_(c-e)/
cabcar_deerlakereservoir_killingsworth_09-14-09.jpg

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

The independent variable of this lab will be various NaHCO3 concentration solutions.
The concentrations for each solution were decided in accordance to prior research that has
been conducted on the subject. Figure 2 demonstrates the rate of photosynthesis in different
CO2 concentrations.

Figure 2: Rate of Photosynthesis in different CO2 Concentrations 2

At very high CO2

concentrations the rate
reaches a plateau.

At low to fairly high CO2

No photosynthesis concentrations the rate is
at very low CO2 positively correlated with
concentrations CO2 concentration.

By observing previous conclusions concerning the correlation between the rate of

photosynthesis and carbon dioxide concentration, five NaHCO3 concentrations were decided
upon. A 0g/L NaHCO3 solution will act as a control, demonstrating how in very low CO2
concentrations/in the lack of CO2 no photosynthesis will occur. Three mid-range NaHCO3
solutions (20g/L, 40g/L, 60g/L) will demonstrate how between low and fairly high CO2
concentrations the rate of photosynthesis is positively correlated with CO2 concentration. Finally,
the highest NaHCO3 concentration, 80g/L, will demonstrate the plateau that forms once plants
are no longer able to fixate CO2 at a faster rate.

Research Question
What is the effect of altering the concentration of environmental carbon dioxide on the
rate of photosynthesis in Cambomba caroliniana plants?

Hypothesis
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, the rate of photosynthesis will increase as
more reactant is available for the Cambomba plants to utilize for photosynthesis. There will be
an optimum level of carbon dioxide in the environment where the rate of photosynthesis will
plateau and further increases in carbon dioxide concentration will have no effect on the rate of
photosynthesis. This will occur because once sufficient CO2 is provided, the chloroplast of the
Cambomba caroliniana plants will no longer be able to fix any more CO2,. Therefore, once the
CO2 concentration reaches that stage, the Cambomba caroliniana will undergo photosynthesis
at a maximum rate.

2(n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/

add_edexcel/organism_energy/photosynthesisrev2.shtml

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Variables

Variable Description Method

Independent Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Using sodium bicarbonate and
Concentrations distilled water, five solutions of
(±0.01g/L) unique concentrations (0g/L,
20g/L, 40g/L, 60g/L, 80g/L) will
be created. This allows for five
independent variable settings
and the completion of five trials.

Dependant Rate of Photosynthesis Using the initial and final

(Measured via percentage dissolved oxygen concentration
change in % of dissolved O2) in the Nalgene bottle, the
(±0.01%) percentage change of dissolved
oxygen concentration will be
measured.

Control Room Temperature = 20.4ºC The room temperature inside the

(±0.01 ºC) lab environment will remain the
same throughout the experiment.
(Regulated using climate control
system)

Size of Cambomba Plant Each Cambomba caroliniana

Segments (±0.1cm) plant segment is cut and
measured to a size of 15cm
(using a ruler).

Duration of Submersion (±1 sec.) Each Cambomba caroliniana

plant will be submerged in
NaHCO3 solution for 5 minutes.
(measured with an electronic
timer)

Constant Light Source Each Cambomba caroliniana

plant will be exposed to an equal
source of light from an equal
distance for an equal amount of
time. This will be ensured by
using a timer and keeping the
apparatus at a constant distance
from the light source.

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 Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Materials

• 5L of Distilled Water • 150g of NaHCO3 • 250mL Nalgene Bottle

• 5x 1L Pyrex Beakers • Electronic Scale • 5 Lg. Cambomba Plants
• Lab Retort Stand • 100mL Graduated Cylinder • Magnetic Stirrer/Heater
• Small Petri Dish • Scoopula • Stirring Magnet
• 15cm Ruler • Scalpel • Sheet of Paper Towel
• Permanent Marker • Pen • Tweezers
• Electronic Timer • Vernier Lab Quest
• Display Hub
• Temperature Probe
• Dissolved Oxygen Probe (DO)

Apparatus Diagram

5L Distilled Water
Dissolved Oxygen Probe

Cambomba caroliniana
Plant Segments

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Method

1. Prepare the carbon dioxide concentrations by filling each of the 1L beakers with 500ml
of distilled water. Use the permanent marker to label each beaker respectively with the following
labels: “0g/L”, “20g/L”, “40g/L”, “60g/L”, “80g/L”.

2. Using the electronic scale, the small petri dish and a scoopula, measure 10g of
NaHCO3 and carefully pour into the beaker labeled 20g/L, assuring that all of the fine powder is
deposited in the beaker. Place the beaker atop the magnetic stirrer and place the stirring
magnet inside the solution. Turn the magnet onto medium-high (4-7) speed, at a level where no
water overflows over the edges of the beaker. Stir the solution for 5 minutes. Repeat this step
for the remaining 4 solution concentrations, using their respective masses of NaHCO3.
(0g/L = 0g, 40g/L = 20g, 60g/L = 30g, 80g/L = 40g) Once this step is completed for all of the
concentrations, set beakers aside.

3. Using the ruler measure out a 15cm segment from one of the Cambomba caroliniana
plants. Repeat this step for 30 plant segments, and set aside on a piece of paper towel.

4. Prepare the lab stand atop a level surface near a window or a similar light source. The
lab stand will have to remain in this position in order to provide each plant with equal light
intensity and therefore to achieve more reliable and accurate results.

5. Power “ON” the Vernier Lab Quest Display Hub and connect the temperature probe
attachment. Using the attachment, determine the average temperature of the lab environment
and the temperature of each solution; record your findings. Disconnect the temperature probe,
rinse with distilled water and set aside. Attach the dissolved oxygen probe attachment, mount to
the retort stand, and allow the system to calibrate.

6. i. Starting with the 0g/L concentration, measure 100ml of solution with the 100ml
graduated cylinder and pour into the 250ml Nalgene Bottle. Raise the bottle towards the DO
probe so the tip & temperature adjustor are submerged. Allow the system to measure the
sample, (15-30 seconds; once the reading stabilizes); record this as the initial reading for the
respective trial in table 1.
ii. Place one 15cm piece of Cambomba caroliniana plant into the Nalgene bottle and
fasten the lid tightly to prevent any out-gassing. Begin a timer for 5 minutes immediately and
place the Nalgene bottle on the base of the lab stand. At 1 minute intervals, raise the Nalgene
bottle directly into the light and stir gently with a rotating wrist movement for approximately 10
seconds. This ensures that any oxygen that is created will be released into the water and each
section of the plant segment will receive ample CO2 supply. NOTE: Do not open the Nalgene
bottle until the timer ends.

7. Once the 5 minute timer ends, open the Nalgene bottle and raise towards the DO
probe so that the tip & temperature adjustor are submerged. Allow the reading to stabilize and
record the data under “Final Dissolved Oxygen Concentration” in the raw data table. (Table 1)
Using the tweezers, remove the Elodea plant from the bottle and place in a waste receptacle
along with the remaining contents of the Nalgene bottle. Rinse the Nalgene bottle with distilled
water and dry with paper towel. Repeat steps 6 & 7 for each CO2 solution with five trials per
solution, recording each trial in the corresponding column in the “Raw Data Table”.

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

8. Clean lab area and drain all solutions. Assure there are no remaining substances in
any containers and rinse all applicable equipment with distilled water. Store equipment and
ensure cleanliness of lab area.

9. Data Processing: create a second table to record processed data involving the
percentage change in dissolved oxygen for each solution’s five trials. Calculate the percentage
change in dissolved oxygen for each trial. The formula for percentage change is:

% Change in DO concentration = [(Final DO - Initial DO) / Initial DO] x 100%

10. Calculate the average percentage change in DO for each NaHCO3 solution (using
the equation below), and record your data in the column titled “Average” in the respective row in
table 2.

Average = Sum of Data Values / # of Data Values

11. Include one sample calculation for percentage change in dissolved oxygen
concentration as well as for the average percentage change in dissolved oxygen in the data
processing section. With the averaged percentage change data, construct an appropriate line
graph with the independent variable of NaHCO3 concentration and with the dependant variable
of percentage change in dissolved oxygen (relative rate of photosynthesis). Analyze the data.

Raw Data Collection

Table 1: The Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations of Various Sodium Bicarbonate Solutions Before
and After a Five Minute Submersion of a 15cm Cambomba caroliniana Aquatic Plant (±0.01%)

NaHCO3
Type of Trial #1 Trial #2 Trial #3 Trial #4 Trial #5
Solution
Concentrations Data (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

Initial: 12.35 12.29 12.07 12.27 12.35

0g/L NaHCO3
Solution
Final: 11.81 11.47 11.38 11.42 11.27

Initial: 12.38 13.12 13.09 13.51 12.54

20g/L NaHCO3
Solution
Final: 15.84 15.91 15.73 15.47 16.04

Initial: 12.76 12.52 12.13 12.37 12.22

40g/L NaHCO3
Solution
Final: 16.01 15.43 16.19 16.22 15.93

Initial: 13.97 13.56 12.92 13.43 13.76

60g/L NaHCO3
Solution
Final: 18.07 17.36 17.32 17.43 18.34

Initial: 13.98 14.27 14.17 14.01 13.12

80g/L NaHCO3
Solution
Final: 18.04 18.79 18.56 18.31 17.84

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Data Processing

To calculate percentage change in DO concentration, the following equation is used:

% Change in DO concentration = [(Final DO - Initial DO) / Initial DO] x 100%

To calculate the average percentage change within each NaHCO3 solution, the following
equation is used:

Average = Sum of Data Values / # of Data Values

Table 2: The Percentage Change in Dissolved Oxygen of Various Sodium Bicarbonate Solutions
After a Five Minute Submersion of a 15cm Cambomba Aquatic Plant

Percentage Change in Dissolved Oxygen Concentration

Solution Average
Concentrations Trial #1 (%) Trial #2 (%) Trial #3 (%) Trial #4 (%) Trial #5 (%) (%)

0g/L NaHCO3
-4.37 -6.67 -5.72 -6.93 -8.74 -6.49
Solution

20g/L NaHCO3
27.95 21.27 20.17 14.5 27.91 22.36
Solution

40g/L NaHCO3
25.47 23.24 33.46 31.12 30.36 28.73
Solution

60g/L NaHCO3
29.35 28.02 34.06 29.78 33.28 30.90
Solution

80g/L NaHCO3
29.04 31.67 30.98 30.69 35.98 31.67
Solution

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Graph 1: The Percentage Change in Dissolved Oxygen According to Sodium Bicarbonate

Solution Concentration

Percentage Change in Dissolved Oxygen Concentration

50.0

40.0
Percentage Change in DO Concentration (%) (±0.01%)

30.0

20.0

10.0

* Error bars indicate the

standard error value

0.0

-10.0

-20.0
0.0 g/L 0.2 g/L 0.4 g/L 0.6 g/L 0.8 g/L

NaHCO3 Solution Concentration (±0.01 g/L)

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Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Conclusion
Photosynthesis, the cellular process which allows plants to produce glucose for cellular
respiration, depends on the presence of CO2. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the tissues of plants
and is used to produce a wide range of inorganic substances. Plant tissues convert carbon
dioxide gas into an organic molecule, a process called carbon fixation; which involves the use of
hydrogen from photolysis and energy from ATP. The end products of photosynthesis are oxygen,
glucose, and water. Therefore, by measuring the percentage change in dissolved oxygen
concentration, one can measure the relative rate of photosynthesis.

It can be concluded from the results of this experiment that photosynthesis occurs more
rapidly with higher CO2 concentrations, up to a concentration slightly above 0.8 g/L (NaHCO3),
where the rate of photosynthesis plateaus and ceases to increase. This is a result of the
chloroplasts in the Cambomba caroliniana cells fixating as much CO2 as possible, and therefore
undergoing photosynthesis at a maximum rate. These results are congruent with the stated
hypothesis, wherein these results were predicted.

Figure 2: The Effect of CO2 Concentration on Photosynthesis

At very high CO2

concentrations the rate
reaches a plateau.
Source: (n.d.). Retrieved February 29,
2016, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/
organism_energy/
photosynthesisrev2.shtml
At low to fairly high CO2
concentrations the rate is
No photosynthesis positively correlated with
at very low CO2 CO2 concentration.
concentrations

At extremely low levels of CO2 (0g/L of NaHCO3), no photosynthesis occurs, yet cellular
respiration continues. Cellular respiration is the process that all eukaryotic cells undergo to
transform glucose into chemical energy, ATP, using glucose, water and oxygen. This process
occurs continuously with or without sunlight. At low levels of CO2, plant cells use more oxygen
conducting cellular respiration than they produce via photosynthesis, causing a decrease in
oxygen concentration. This phenomena explains the average dissolved oxygen concentration
percentage change of -6.49% at a NaHCO3 concentration of 0g/L (absence of CO2).

The maximum percentage change value, 31.67%, occurred with a NaHCO3 concentration
of 80g/L, indicating that to a certain extent, CO2 concentration is positively correlated with the
rate of photosynthesis in aquatic Cambomba caroliniana plants. This is explained as
photosynthesis is creating more oxygen than what is being used by the process of cellular
respiration. When the Cambomba plants were submerged in the 20g/L, 40g/L, and 60g/L
NaHCO3 concentrations, their rate of photosynthesis increased steadily then levelled off into a
plateau as seen in graph 1, which is congruent to the effect depicted in figure 2.

Overall, this experiment proved how the rate of photosynthesis, measured using
percentage change in dissolved oxygen concentration, increases steadily alongside the increase
of CO2 concentration (20g/L, 40g/L, and 60g/L NaHCO3 concentrations), culminating in a plateau
near a NaHCO3 concentration of 80g/L.

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 Gabriel Latremouille Biology SL Internal Assessment

Evaluation

During this experiment, accurate measurements during the procedural process were
critical as any small discrepancies could alter the data, further preventing an accurate
interpretation of the results. Very crucial decisions were made in order to emphasize the
precision of this experiment, such as using a high accuracy electronic scale (±0.01g) as well as
a set of extremely reliable Vernier LabQuest Probes and attachments, although some changes
could be made to the method in order to further increase the precision as well as the reliability of
this experiment.

For example, by using a container and measuring dissolved oxygen, there is a

significant risk of out-gassing, wherein gas escapes from the collection bottle as measurements
are being made, resulting in an inaccurate reading. Modifications were made to avoid this issue
in the method, such as sealing the Nalgene bottle during the five minute photosynthetic period.
Another way that this issue could be avoided entirely would be by measuring the released
oxygen using a gas collection system, which would integrate some clear piping as well as a
syringe wherein the collected volume of oxygen could be measured (measuring the
displacement).

A second example of a procedural conflict is that of even lighting for each Cambomba
caroliniana plant segment. During the experiment, each plant received approximately the same
amount of light during each individual trial, as each bottle was placed in the exact same
location. Bottles were gently stirred periodically (at 1 minute intervals) and replaced to their
original location, assuring the utmost accuracy. An improvement to this method would be to use
a light box or a similar device to ensure that no exterior lighting factors could affect the rate of
photosynthesis in any specific plant (outdoor lighting, sunlight entering from window, clouds
causing shading, etc.).

A final example of how this experiment’s accuracy and reliability could be improved
would be by increasing the number of trials and/or the number of independent variable settings
(increasing the number of NaHCO3 solutions). For example, for each independent variable
setting, 10 trials could be performed; creating a greater number of data entries and therefore
increasing the accuracy of the experiment as a whole. This, of course, would increase the time
and effort required to perform this experiment, as well as an increase in the cost of the project,
as a larger quantity of each material would be required. Another example would be to use ten
different NaHCO3 solutions, with smaller intervals (e.g. 0g/l, 10g/l, 20g/l, 30g/l, 40g/l, 50g/l, 60g/l,
70g/l, 80g/l, 90g/l, and 100g/l NaHCO3 solutions)

Works Cited

• (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/

add_edexcel/organism_energy/photosynthesisrev2.shtml
• (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2016, from http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/
invasive_aquatic_plant_program/herbarium/by_genus_(c-e)/
cabcar_deerlakereservoir_killingsworth_09-14-09.jpg
• Allott, A. (2007). Biology for the IB Diploma: Standard and higher level. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Damon, A., & McGonegal, R. (n.d.). Higher level biology (2nd ed.).
• DiGiuseppe, M. (2012). Nelson biology 12: University preparation. Scarborough, ON: Nelson Thomson
Learning.

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