The aim of this investigation is to see whether I can find a definite relationship between the light intensity onto the leaf's surface and the surface area of the leaf.
Hypothesis
I think the light intensity could affect the surface area in the following way:
÷A higher light intensity could make the surface area of the leaf larger.
The reason I think a higher light intensity could make the surface area larger is the fact that there would be a larger amount of chlorophyll, containing chloroplasts, for photosynthesis. By having leaves of a larger surface area, there would be a much more efficient use of the chloroplasts (containing chlorophyll) and the high intensity light available.
Apparatus
In order to carry out this experiment we will need:
÷A light probe
÷A graphing calculator
÷A ruler
Method
÷Connect the light probe to the graphing calculator
÷Program the graphing calculator to deal with light probes
÷Place the light probe in the middle of four leaves.
English: Texas Intruments TI-89 Titanium graphing ...
English: Light intensity distribution after propag...
Español: Vista de la clorofila desde un microscop...÷Make sure the light probe is pointing in the same direction as the leaves and is facing away from the leaves
÷Take the light intensity reading and put it in a table of results
÷Measure the length and width of each of the four surrounding leaves and record these results
÷Repeat the test 15 times, trying to get a wide range of light intensities.
To make this test a fair test, I will have to control several variables. These are the temperature, the age of the leaves and the nourishment of the leaves.
To control the temperature I will be carrying out the investigation on the same day, in as short a period of time as possible.
By using the same hedge throughout the investigation, I should be able to ensure that the leaves are getting the same...