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Rate of Photosynthesis Experiment

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Introduction
Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis, a process which light energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy and stored in sugars. The light energy is used to be stored in sugars, which are later broken down through respiration to provide energy for cells. Respiration also occurs in all plant cells and is completely different process from photosynthesis. It happens in the mitochondria and provides energy for cellular activities.
6〖C_6 H〗_12 O_6+〖 6O〗_2--→ 6CO_2+6H_2 O
Light intensity is a factor which can limit the rate of photosynthesis. At low light, the rate of photosynthesis increases, when the light intensity increases. This is because light excites pigments in chlorophyll, which provide the energy for the production of carbohydrates. However, at higher light, the rate of photosynthesis will start to plateau. This is because another factor other than light intensity is causing the rate of oxygen production to decrease; for example carbon dioxide concentration.
Carbon dioxide is an essential component in photosynthesis. Plants intake the CO2 from it surrounds which will then react with H2O to produce C6H12O6 (glucose) and O2. This can be seen from the equation below:
6CO_2+6H_2 O--→6〖C_6 H〗_12 O_6+〖 6O〗_2
Since the leaves are submerged in a buffer, Sodium carbonate will be added to the solution. This will cause the sodium carbonate to dissociate forming sodium ions and carbonate ions, which allow the plant to intake the carbonate ion to undergo

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