Photosynthesis and Enzyme Experiments
Photosynthesis can be measured by counting oxygen bubbles from pondweed. Place your setup 10cm from an LED light source and add sodium hydrogen carbonate for extra carbon dioxide. Count bubbles for one minute, repeat three times, then test different distances.
Use the inverse square law to calculate light intensity and plot it against photosynthesis rate. Closer light sources provide more energy for faster photosynthesis, producing more oxygen bubbles per minute.
Enzyme activity tests show how pH affects amylase breaking down starch. Mix amylase with buffer solution and starch, then test drops every 10 seconds with iodine solution. When iodine stays orange-brown instead of turning blue-black, all the starch has been digested.
The quicker this colour change happens, the better the enzyme works at that pH. Test different pH values to find the optimum conditions where amylase works fastest.
Key Point: Enzymes work best at specific pH levels - find the sweet spot where starch breaks down quickest!