Activities
Greenfingers Greenhouses
‘Greenfingers Greenhouses’ are trying to increase the speed at which their lettuces grow. They have hired a team of scientists to find out if increasing the amount of light and carbon dioxide will help. The table below shows the results of their first two experiments.
|
Carbon dioxide concentration (percentage) |
Rate of photosynthesis (units) |
|
Dim light |
Bright light |
|
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
|
0.02 |
20 |
20 |
|
0.04 |
29 |
34 |
|
0.06 |
35 |
40 |
|
0.08 |
39 |
45 |
|
0.10 |
43 |
48 |
|
0.12 |
46 |
50 |
|
0.14 |
46 |
52 |
|
0.16 |
46 |
52 |
- Enter the data into a spreadsheet and create a graph of the results like the one below.
- Use your graph to answer the following questions:
1. What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when the amount of carbon dioxide is increased?
2. The scientists report that in dim light there is no point using more than 0.12% carbon dioxide. Use the graph to explain why.
3. What difference does using bright light make?
4. What is the highest carbon dioxide concentration that should be used when the light is bright?
