Education Technology

Science: Vernier - Photosynthesis and Respiration

by Vernier Software & Technology

Overview

Students use the gas sensors to measure the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide consumed or produced by a plant during respiration and photosynthesis. They also determine the rate of respiration and photosynthesis in a plant.

Key Steps

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    Photosynthesis and respiration rates are studied using leaves from a plant in a respiration chamber connected to an oxygen and a carbon dioxide sensor in light for 10 minutes. This is the oxygen-time graph.

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    Linear regression is used to calculate the rate that carbon dioxide was either produced or consumed in light.

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    Photosynthesis and respiration during 10 minutes of dark are also studied and compared with the results obtained in the light.