How can oxygen production be used to show the rate of photosynthesis?
Scientists investigated factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis in tomato plants - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 5
How can oxygen production be used to show the rate of photosynthesis?
Scientists investigated factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis in tomato plants.
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:How can oxygen production be used to show the rate of photosynthesis?
Scientists investigated factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis in tomato plants - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
How can oxygen production be used to show the rate of photosynthesis?
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Answer
Oxygen production can be used as an indicator of the rate of photosynthesis. Generally, a higher volume of oxygen produced in a given time correlates with a higher rate of photosynthesis. This is because the process of photosynthesis generates oxygen as a byproduct, so measuring the oxygen output allows us to assess how actively the plants are photosynthesizing.
Step 2
Name the factor that is limiting the rate of photosynthesis at point X.
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Answer
The limiting factor at point X is light intensity.
Step 3
What is the minimum light intensity a farmer should use to get the maximum rate of photosynthesis shown in Figure 5?
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Light intensity = 20,000 lux
Step 4
The light intensity you gave in Question 05.3 may not give the farmer maximum profit. Explain why.
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Using a light intensity of 20,000 lux may not ensure maximum profit because the costs associated with providing this light level can exceed the additional revenue generated by increased tomato production. Factors such as energy costs for lighting the greenhouse and the potential need for additional resources to manage other environmental conditions may limit profitability.
Step 5
Explain the results when the light intensity was 0 lux.
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When the light intensity is 0 lux, there is no light available for photosynthesis. Therefore, the plants cannot produce oxygen, indicating that photosynthesis does not occur. Although respiration continues, the net oxygen production is negative as the plants consume oxygen without replacing it, leading to a decline in overall oxygen levels.